THE  COMING  KINGDOM. 

Votumel,  September,  1897.  No.  3. 

Entered  at  (he  pnstopi, 

^mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmfcs 


Eighty  Translations     | 

—OF—  3 

=3 

DR.  MARTIN    LUTHER'S  | 

n  i  i  nmi:| 

"Ein  feste  Burg  ist  unser  Gott,"   | 


-BY- 


jf      REV.  BERNHARD  PICK.  Ph.  D„  D.  D.,      || 

g~      Author  of  "Luther  as  a  Hymuist,"  and  "Bin  feste  Burg"  In  21     ^5 

•—  Languages.  ^2 


Cleona,  Pa. : 
G.  HOLZAPFEL,  PUBLISHER, 

1897. 


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LUTHER  IN  1546. 


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Dr.  Martin  Luther's 

Hymn  of  the  Reformation: 

Ein  teste  Burg 
ist  unser  Gott 

in  the  English  language. 

By;REV.  BERISHARD  PICK,  Ph.  D.,  D.  D., 


Author  of  "Luther  as  a  Hymnist,"  and  "Eln  teste  Burg"  in  21   Lan- 
guages. 


Cleona,  Pa.: 
G.  HOLZAPFEL,  Publisher, 

1897. 


Preface. 


PREFACE. 


/^\  EXT  to  the  Bible  and  Bunyan's  "Pilgrim's 
Jl  Progress.'' no  work  has  been  translated 
*-^  V  into  so  many  languages  as  Luther's 
Reformation  Hymn  '  fMn  feste  Burg  ist  unser  Gott. ' ' 
But, like  thosegrand  mediaeval  hymns  the  Dies  Irae 
and  Stabat  Mater  Dolorosa,  it  has  challenged  and 
defied  the  skill  of  the  best  translators  and  imita- 
tors. For  many  years  I  have  been  collecting 
translations  of  this  grand  hymn  and  herewith 
send  forth  the  English  translations  including  one 
in  Broad- Scotch,  making  in  all  80  versions.  This 
collection  is  by  far  the  largest  which  has  ever 
been  published.  I  take  this  opportunity  to  thank 
the  many  friends,especially  the  Rev.  Jas.  Mearns, 
of  Owston,  Lincolnshire,  England,  for  their  kind 
contributions. 

"Go  forth,  little  book  ! — I  to  others  now  leave  thee, — 
Go  seek  among  strangers  in  future  thy  friends ; 
If  worthy,— the  worthy  will  kindly  receive  thee, 
If  worthless, — neglect  is  thy  worthy  amends. ;' 

B.  Pick. 
Albany  X.  F.,  September,  1897. 


Introduction 
| 


)   '- 


INTRODUCTION. 

/^\\  MONG  the  more  than  3000    accepted  Ger- 

I  Wj  man  Hy  mns  none  stands  out  so  prominent, 
^^^  none  has  become  so  famous,  and  none 
has  done  such  most  effective  service,  as  "Ein 
feste  Burg."  It  may  indeed  be  called  the 
'•national  hymn  of  Protestant  Germany.''  The 
field- marshal  Leopold  von  Dessau  styled  it  '  the 
march  of  our  Lord  God's  dragoons,"  and  Heinricli 
Heine  called  it  '-the  marseillaise  of  the  Reforma- 
tion. "  This  hymn, which  is  a  strong  expression  of 
faith  and  reliance  in  God,  was  mighty  as  a  flaming 
sword;  it  was,  and  still  is,  the  tocsin  of  spiritual 
independence,  of  religious  freedom,  and  as  such 
it  expresses  the  purest  spirit  of  Protestantism. 
"When  this  hymn  was  composed,  is,  as  we  shall 
see,  a  matter  of  dispute;  but  certain  it  is,  that 
since  it  was  first  sung,  it  became  the  national 
hymn    of  Protestant  Germany,  the  imperishable 


10  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

paeaa  of  the  Reformation.  "Judged  by  conven- 
tional rules, "  says  Dr.  J.  A.  Seiss,  "it  may  not 
seem  very  artistic.  The  rocky  dissonance  and 
Teutonic  bluntness  of  its  form  and  phrases  may 
be  repellant  to  a  fastidious  poetic  taste,but  it  was 
very  original  when  produced,  and  a  man  must  go 
down  into  the  depths  of  the  mighty  upheaval  of 
the  great  Reformation  itself, and  of  that  evangelic 
faith  which  stood  invincible  amid  the  perils  of 
those  times,  before  he  is  in  position  to  see  and 
feel  the  power  and  majesty  of  these  rough  rhymes 
and  jarring  contradictions  of  measure  and  cadence. 
The  judgment  of  three  centuries  has  pronounced 
this  hymn  the  greatest  Psalm  of  Faith  that  has  had 
birth  in  the  modern  ages;  and  this  should.go  far  to 
settle  all  questions  of  taste  respecting  it."  (Rec- 
reation Song rs,  Phila.,  1878, with  supplement,  1887,p. 
49  seg.)  Thomas  Carlyle,  the  rugged  Englishman, 
who  probably  was  better  qualified  than  any  other 
English  writer  to  drink  in  and  to  express  in  another 
language  the  spirit  of  this  hymn  says:  "It  jars 
upon  our  ears;  yet  is  there  something  in  it  like  the 
sound  of  Alpine  avalanches,  or  the  fii  st  murmur 
of  earthquakes;  in  the  very  vastness  of  that  dis- 
sonance a  higher  unison  is  revealed  to  us.  Luther 
wrote  this  song  in  a  time  of  blackest  threatenings, 
which,  however,  would  in  no  wise  become  a  time 
of  despair.  In  those  tones,  rugged,  broken  as 
they  are,  do  we  not  recognize  the  accent  of  that 
summoned  manfsummoned  not  by  Charles  the 
Fifth,  but    by  God  Almighty  also),  who  answered 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  11 

his  friend's  warning  not  to  enter  Worms  in  this 
wise:  "Were  there  as  many  Devils  in  Worms  as 
there 'are  roof  tiles,  I  would  go  in;' — of  him  who, 
alone  in  that  assemblage,  before  all  emperors,  and 
principalities,  and  powers,  spoke  forth  these  fi- 
nal and  forever  memorable  words,  'It  is  neither 
safe  nor  prudent  to  do  aught  against  conscience. 
Here  stand  1,1  cannot  otherwise.  God  assist  me. 
Amen.'"     (Frazer's  Magazine,  1831). 

Another  modern  writer  says  :  "This  hymn 
is  Luther  in  song.  It  is  pitched  in  the  very  key 
of  the  man.  Rugged  and  majestic,  trustful  in 
God,  and  confident,  it  was  the  defiant  trumpet- 
blast  of  the  Reformation,  speaking  out  to  the 
powers  in  the  earth  and  under  the  earth,  an  all- 
conquering  conviction  of  divine  vocation  and  em- 
powerment. The  world  has  many  sacred  songs 
of  exquisite  tenderness  and  unalterable  trust,and 
also  some  bold  and  awe-inspiring  lyrics,  like  Dies 
Irae;  but  this  one  of  Luther's  is  matchless  for  its 
warlike  tone,  its  rugged  strength,  and  martial  in- 
spiring ring."  This  warlike  tone,  probably  in- 
spired our  own  poet,  John  G.  Whittier,  to  one  of 
his  war  songs  headed  "Em  feste  Burg  ist  unser 
Gott."  The  first  stanza  of  which  runs  thus, 
(Poetical  Works,  section  entitled  "In  War  Time"): 

"We  wait  beneath  the  furnace-blast 
The  pangs  of  transformation; 
Not  painlessly  doth  God  recast 
And  mould  anew  the  nation. 
Hot  burns  the  fire 
Where  wrongs  expire; 


12  f'EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Nor  spares  the  hand 
That  from  the  land 
Uproots  the  ancient  evil." 

That  a  hymn  like  this  should  have  its  own  his- 
tory, is  but  a  matter  of  course.  For  says  Kuebler 
(Historical Notes  to  the  Lyra  Germaniea, London.  1865, 
p.  147,  seq.)  "Quickly  as  if  the  angels  had  been  the 
carriers,  the  hymn  spread  throughout  Germany 
and  other  countries. "  In  1532  it  was  sung  in  the 
church  of  Schweinfurth,  in  Bavaria,  against  the 
will  of  the  Romish  priest,  and  the  children  sang 
it  in  the  streets  at  night,  whereupon  the  Refor- 
mation was  soon  established  in  that  town.  After 
Luther's  death,  when  Wittenberg  fell  into  the  en- 
emy's hand,  in  1547,  and  Melancthon,  Jonas,  and 
Creutziger,  the  chief  Lutheran  divines,  had  to  fife 
sorrowfully  to  Weimar,  they  heard,  as  they  entei- 
ed  the  town,  this  hymn  sung  by  a  girl  which 
greatly  comforted  them,  and  Melancthon  said  to 
the  child  :  ''Sing,  my  dear  daughter,  sing;  you 
know  not  what  great  people  you  are  now  comfort- 
ing." When  the  Elector  Count  Frederick  III,  of 
the  Palatinate  was  asked  why  he  did  not  build 
fortresses  in  his  land. he  replied,  "Ein  feste  Burg 
ist  UDser  Gott. " 

The  pious  King  Gustavus  Adolphus,  of 
Sweden,  ordered  this  hymn  to  be  sung  by  his 
whole  army  before  the  battle  of  Leipsic.  Sept.  17th, 
1631,  and  when  he  had  obtained  the  victory  he 
fell  on  his  knees,  praising  God,  and  exclaimed  in 
the  words  of  the  second    verse,    "Tis  He    must 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  13 

win  the  battle."  Again  it  was  sung  before  the 
battle  of  Luetzen,  Nov.  16th,  1632,  in  which  the 
brave  king  lost  his  life,  but  his  army  gained  the 
victory. 

When  the  Evangelical  Prince  Wolfgang,  of 
Anhalt,  was  banished  by  the  Emperor  Charles  V, 
and  his  land  given  to  another,  he  mounted  his 
horse,  rode  through  the  town  of  Bernburg,  and 
sang  as  a  farewell  in  the  market  place  with  a  loud 
voice  the  last  few  lines  of  the  fourth  verse,  "E'en 
should  they  take  our  life, "  etc.  And  when  the 
Elector  John  Frederick,  of  Saxony,  in  his  prison 
at  Augsburg,  heard  that  the  Evangelical  minis- 
ters and  divines  of  that  town,  who  came  to  pay 
him  a  farewell  visit,  had  been  deposed  and  ban- 
ished by  the  Emperor,  he  wept  aloud,  and  after 
some  time  asked  them  :  "Has  the  Emperor  ban- 
ished you  from  the  whole  empire  ?"  'Yes"  they 
replied.  "Has  he  also  banished  you  from  Heav- 
en?" "No."  "Oh,"  he  continued,  "then  fear 
nothing:  God's  Kingdom  our's  abideth. "  And 
little  as  he  himself  possessed  then,  he  gave  them 
some  money  to  divide  among  themselves  for  their 
journey. 

The  poor  Protestant  emigrants  from  Salz- 
burg and  other  parts  of  Austria  used  often  to 
sing  this  hymn  on  their  way  into  exile,  and  the 
Huguenots  did  the  same  in  Prance  in  the  time  of 
their  bloody  persecutions  between  1560  and  1572; 
yea,  many  of  them  died  joyfully  as  martyrs  with 
this   hymn  on  their   lips.     Through  Meyerbeer's 


14  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

opera  "The  Huguenots,"  this  hymn  with  its  tune 
has  even  been  introduced  on  the  stage.  It  is  re- 
ported that  a  Roman  Catholic  count,  who  in  1547 
came  to  Germany  with  Charles  V.,  heard  this 
Lutheran  hymn  sung,  and  said:  "I  will  help  to 
pull  down  this  'stronghold, '  or  else  I  will  not  live. " 
But  three  days  after  he  suddenly  fell  ill  and 
died. 


The  Text  and  Tune 


^I^iii'fpstp^pnrg  ist  uuspr 


jg»gggg»fgg 


FACSIMILE  OF  ORIGINAL  SCORE  OF  LUTUER'S  BATTLE-HYMV 


II .     The  Text  and  Tune. 

The  XLVI.  Psalm  :    "Deus  noster  refugium  et  virtus"etc. 

Ein  feste  burg  ist  unser  Gott, 
em  gute  wehr  und  waffen. 
Er  hilft  uns  frei  aus  aller  not, 
die  uns  itzt  hat  betroffen. 

Der  alt  boese  feind 
mit  ernst  ers  itzt  meint, 
gross  macht  und  viel  list 
sein  grausam  ruestung  ist, 
auf  erd  ist  nicht  seins  gleichen. 

Mit  unser  macht  ist  nichts  gethan, 

wir  sind  gar  bald  verloren  : 

Es  streit  fuer  uns  der  rechte  man 

den  Gott  hat  selbs  erkoren. 

Fragstu,  wer  der  ist  ? 

er  heisst  Jhesus  Christ, 

der  HERR-Zebaoth, 

und  ist  kein  an  der  Gott, 

das  feld  muss  er  behalten. 
2 


18  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Unci  wenn  die  welt  vol  Teufel  wer 
und  wolt  uns  gar  verschlingen, 
So  fuerchten  wir  uns  nicht  so  sehr, 
es  sol  uns  doch  gelingen. 

Der  Fuerst  dieser  welt, 
wie  saur  er  sich  stelt, 
thut  er  uns  doch  nicht. 
das  macht,  er  ist  gericht, 
ein  woertlein  kan  in  fellen. 

Das  wort  sie  soellen  lass  en  stan 
und  kein  dank  dazu  haben. 
Er  ist  bei  uns  wol  auf  dem  plan 
mit  seinem  Geist  und  gaben. 

Nemen  sie  den  leib. 
gut,  ehr,  kind  und  weib  : 
lass  far  en  dahin, 
sie  habens  kein  gewin, 
das  Reich  muss  uns  doch  bleiben. 

The  text  is  the  same  which  is  found  in  Valen- 
tine Babst's  edition  published  at  Leipsic  in  1545. 
This  collection  contains  the  last  revision  of 
Luther's  hymns,  which  were  published  while  he 
was  yet  alive,  and  shortly  before  his  death. 
Goedeke,  too,  in  his  edition  of  Luther's  hymns 
with  an  introduction  by  Wagenmann  (Leipsic 
1883),  adopted  the  same  text,  and  this  principle  is 
acknowledged  as  the  correct  one  (See  Theolog:  Lit- 
eraturblatt, Leipzig,  1884,  col.  146.) 


III.  Literature. 

/^•HE  literature  of  Luther's  hymns,  especially 
vl  of  "Ein  feste  Burg"  is  very  rich.  In 
^-^  passing  over  older  works,  which  are  men- 
tioned by  Schauer  and  Linke,  we  mention  the 
most  important  and  most  recent  on  our  sub- 
ject. 
Wackernagel,  C.  E.  Ph.,  Martin    Luther's    geist- 

liche  Lieder,  Stuttgart.  1848. 
Wackernagel,     C.     E.    Ph,,     Bibliographie     zur 

Geschichte  des  deutchen  Kirchenliedes,Er- 

langen,  1855; 
Wackernagel,    C.  E.     Ph.,    Das  deutsche  Kirch- 

enlied,  vol.  I,  Leipzig,  1884. 
Schauer,  J.   K.,  Luther's  Re  for  mationslied,   "Em 

feste  Burg,"  Coburg,  L853. 
Schneider,   K.  F.  Th.,  Luther's  geistliche  Lieder, 

2ded.  Berliu,1856. 
Koestlin,  Julius, Leben  Luther's,  2  vols.  Elberfeld 

1875  (vol.  II,127);3ded,  1883  (vol.  11,182-650). 


22  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Knaake,  J.  K.  F.,  Luther's  Lied  "Ein  feste 
Burg"im  Jahre  1527.gedichtet  inZeitschrift 
fuer  Kirchliche  Wissenschaft  und  Leben, 
Leipzig,  1881,p.  39-48. 

Pick,  B.,  Ein  fest  Burg  (in  19  languages),  Ro- 
chester, 1880;  2d  ed.  (in  21  languages),  Chic- 
ago, 1883. 

Biltz,  K,  Beilage  zur  neuen  preussischen  Zeit- 
ung,  April  2,1882;  July  12,19,26,  1885. 

Biltz,  K.,  Blaetter  fuer  Hymnologie,  1883  p. 
103-105. 

Schulze,  L.,  Blaetter  fuer  Hymnologie,  1883  p. 
75  seg 

Wagenmann,  J.,  Dichtungen  von  M.  Luther,  her- 
ausgegeben  von  Karl  Goedeke, Leipzig,  1883- 

Erichson,  A.,  Ein  feste  Burg.  Entstehung  des 
Liedes,  Strassburg,  1883. 

Linke,  J.,  Megalandri  Martini  Luther i  canticum 
canticorum,  Altenburg,1883; 

Linke,  J.,  Wann  wurde  das  Lutherlied  Ein  feste 
Burg  verfasst  ?    Leipzig,  1886. 

Gerbert,  C.,Die  Abfassung  des  Lutherliedes  "Em 
fest  Burg"  Zurich,  1884. 

Kuecheuemeister,F.,Das  evangeliscne Glaubensli- 
ed,Ein  feste  Burg, Dresden,  1884. (Comp.  the 
notices  thereon  by  Oster  in  Protestantische 
Kirchenzeiturg  1884,  col.  582-586;  Achelis 
in  Theologische  Literatur-zeitung,  1884, 
col.  434  437). 

Delitzseh,  F.,  Ein  feste  Burg  ist  unser  Gott  in 
Allgemeine    evangelisch-lutherische     Kir- 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  23 

chenzeitung,  1884,  col.  701-702. 
Achelis,  E.,  Entstehungszeit  von  Luther's  geist- 

lichen  Liedern,  Marburg,  1884. 
Bachmann,  J.,  Zur    Entstehungsgeschichte    der 

geistichlien  Lieder  Luther's  in  Zeitschrift 

fuer  Kirchliche  Wissenschoft    und    Leben, 

1884,pp.  151-168.  294-312;  1885,pp.  42-49. 
Zoeckler,  O.,  Eine  neue  Hypothese  betreffend  die 

Abfassungszeit  des  Lutherhedes  in  Evang- 

clische  Kirchenzeitung,  1885,  No.  48. 
Schaff,  Ph..  History    of    the    Christian    Church, 

New  York,  1888,  vol.  vi.  p  503. 
Wiese,  M.  P.  &  Linke,  J.,    Ueber    das    Lied    Ein 

feste  Burg  is  unser  Gott  in    Blaetter    fuer 

Hymnologie,  1889  p.  29-31. 
Lilley,  J.  P.,  Luther's  Psalm  in    the    Expository 

Times,  Edinburgh,  (December)  1891. 


Date  of  Composition 


IV.  Date  of  Composition. 

/^"*HE  date  of  composition  is  still  a  omix 
V  I  hynmologorum.  As  no  less  than  seven 
^-J  different  dates  have  been  proposed,  it 
cannot  be  said  that  the  acts  are  already  closed. 
Under  the  circumstances  it  will  be  best  to  reg- 
ister the  different  dates  and  their  advocates.  In 
favor  of  the  year : 

1521  is  Achelis.  Forty  years  before  Achelis, 
Goltz  in"Auesfuhrliche  Erklaerungeiniger  Kir- 
chenlieder,"  Berlin,  1843,p.  351. already  favored 
this  date,  not  to  speak  of  other  writers  before 
him. 

1521f..  This  date  is  based  upon  a  notice  found 
in  the  chronicle  of  Petrus  Saxe,  according  to 
which  a  certain  Herman  Tast  is  reported  to  have 
sung  our  hymn  already  in  1524  after  a  sermon 
which  he  delivered  at  Gardingen.  The  truth  of 
this  chronicle  report  has  also  been  adopted  by 
later  writers.  Of  the  most  recent  we  mention  Ger- 
bert. 


28  -'EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

1525.  This  is  Linke's  theory  in  his  monograph, 
and  on  more  than  90  pages  of  his  work  he  endeav- 
ors to  prove  the  correctness  of  his  hypothesis. 

1527.  This  date  was  first  advocated  by  Schnei- 
der (p.  xxxvii)  and  opposed  by  Wackernagel 
(Kirchenlied  I  p.  xx).  But  recently  it  found  sup- 
porters in  Knaake,Koestliu(2d  and  3d  ed),Schulze, 
Schaff. 

1528.  The  advocates  of  this  year  are  Biltz, 
Kuechenmeister,  Oster,  Delitzsch,  Bachmann, 
Linke  (Megalander). 

1529.  Many  are  the  advocates  of  this  date. 
Not  to  speak  of  such  hymnologists  as  Winterfeld 
and  Tucher,  this  date  is  advocated  by  Wack- 
ernagel,  Koestlin  (1st  ed.)  Goedcke-Wagenmann, 
Erichson,  and  Nelle(in  Konservative  Monatss- 
chrift,1889,  p.  535). 

1530.  This  date  has  the  most  advocates 
among  older  writers,  none  among  modern,  at 
least  not  among  those  whose  works  we  have  men- 
tioned in  the  former  section. 


Translations  of  the 
Hymn. 


SW' 


V.     Translations  of  the  hymn. 

/^•HERE  are  only  a  few  works  which  have 
W  I  been  translated  into  many  languages,  viz  : 
v-^  The  Bible,  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress 
(which  is  said  now  to  exist. in  83  languages),  and 
our  hymn.  The  languages  into  which  it  has 
been  translated,  andwhich  I  have  collected,  are 
as  follows  : 


1. 

Accra  or  Ga. 

14. 

Ewe. 

2. 

Arabic. 

15. 

Finnish. 

3. 

Armenian  (Ararat), 

16. 

French. 

4. 

Batta  (Angkola). 

17. 

German  (Low). 

5. 

Batta  (Toba). 

18. 

Greek  (Ancient) 

6. 

Bohemian. 

19. 

Greek  (Modern) 

7. 

Canarese. 

20. 

Greenlandish. 

8. 

Chinese  (Hakka  Col- 

22. 

Hebrew. 

loquial). 

21. 

Herero. 

9. 

Danish. 

23. 

Hindu. 

10. 

Dutch. 

24. 

Hottentot. 

11. 

English. 

25. 

Hungarian. 

12. 

Esthonian  (Reval). 

26. 

Icelandic. 

13. 

Esthonian  (Dorpat). 

27. 

Italian. 

32 


'E1N  FESTE  BURG. 


28.  Kafir. 

29.  Labrador. 

30.  Lapponese. 

31.  Latin. 

32.  Lettish. 

33.  Lithuanian. 

34.  Malayalim. 

35.  Moskito. 

36.  Mondari. 

37.  Negro  English. 

38.  Norwegian. 

39.  Polish. 

40.  Russian. 


41.  Scotch-Broad. 

42.  Sesuto. 

43.  Spanish. 

44.  Swedish. 

45.  Tamil. 

46.  Telugu. 

47.  Tibetan. 

48.  Tschi. 

49.  Welsh. 

50.  Wendish  (Upper). 

51.  Wendish  (Lower). 

52.  Zulu. 


all    existing 


Whether    this    list    comprises 
translations  or  not,  I  cannot  state.      At  all  events 
the  list  proves  that  our  hymn  is  unique. 


J  L- 


j!  Sources  of  Our 

Translations. 


VI.     Sources  of  our  Translation. 

i.  Lyra  Davidica,  London,  1708,  (supplied  by 
Rev.  J.  Mearns;  we  have  marked*  all  those  sent 
to  us  by  that  gentleman). 

ii-iii.  Prom  Psalmodia  Germanica,  ed.  Jacobi, 
London,  1722.  2d  revised  ed.  1732,  reprinted  in 
1765. 

iv.*  Moravian  Brethren's  Hymnbook,  Lon- 
don, 1754 

v.  First  published  in  Frazer's  Magazine,  1831.. 

vi.  Mill's  Horae  Germanicac,  Auburn,  N.  Y.v 
1844. 

vii.*  In  Hymns  of  the  Reformation,  1845. 

viii.*  In  Hymns  from  the  German  of  Luther,. 
Edinburgh,  1847. 

ix.  Hymns  for  theuseof  the  Lutheran  Congre- 
gations in  the  Danish  West  India  Island,  ed.  Bag- 
ger, Copenhagen,  1850. 

x.  General  Synod  H.  B.,  Phila,  1850. 

xi.*  In  Psalms  and  Hymns  for  the  use  of 
Rugby  School  Chapel,  1850. 


36  "EINFESTE  BURG." 

xii.  In  Psalms  and  Hymns,  Cambridge,  1851. 

xiii.  In  Furness'  Gems  of  German  verse,  1853. 

xiv.  In  Luther's  select  melodies,  Phila.,  1853. 

xv.*  In  Spiritual  Soags  of  Luther,  London, 
1853. 

xvi.*  In  Spiritual  Songs  of  Luther's,  London, 
2'ed. 

xvii.  In  Spiritual  Songs  of  Luther,  London, 
1854. 

xviii.  In  Hymns  from  the  German, ibid.,  1854. 

xix.  In  Lyra  Germanica,I,  ibid.,  1855. 

xx.  In  Lyra  Christiana,  Edinburgh,  1855. 

xxi.   In  Book  of  German  Songs,  London,  1856. 

xxii.  Unknown,  1857. 

xxiii.*  In  Tonic  Sol-Fa  Reporter,  London, 
July,  1857. 

xxiv.  In  Sacred  Lyrics  from  the  German, 
Phila.  1859. 

xxv.  In  Hymns  for  Church  and  Home,  ibid., 
1860. 

xxvi.*  In   British  Messenger,  Aug.  11,  1860. 

xxvii.  In  Hymns  translated  or  imitated  from 
the  German,  London,  1860. 

xxviii.  Supplied  by  the  author. 

xxix.  In  Evangel.  Review,  Gettysburg,  July, 
1863. 

xxx.  In  the  Guardian.  Phila. ,  May,  1863. 

xxxi.  In  Hymnologia  Christiana,  London, 
1863. 

xxxii.  In  Poems  and  Translations, ibid.,  1864. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  37 

xxxiii-xxxiv.  In  Prophetic  Times,  Phil. ;  £Tov. 
1865;  in  Philadelphian,  Jan.  2d,  1867. 

xxxv.  Iu  Monthly  Religious  Magazine,  Bos- 
ton, 1867. 

xxx vi.   In  Jubilee  Service,  Phila  ,1867. 

xxx vii.  Reprinted  in  the  Lutheran,  Feb.  23, 
1888. 

xxxviii.*  In  Year  of  Praise, London,  1867  (2  vs. 
only). 

xxxix.*  In  Sunday  Magazine,  ibid.,  1867. 

xl.*  In  Programme  for  a  United  Pres. Church 
Psalmody  meeting  at  Edinburgh,  1868,  (May). 

xli.  Reprinted  in  the  Lutheran,  Feb.  23,  1888. 

xlii.  Anglican  Hymn  Book  ed.  by  him  and 
Monk,  London,  1868  (vs.  land  2,  and  an  orignal one 
as  3). 

xliii.   In  Sacred  Lyrics,  ibid. ,1869. 

xliv.  In  Christian  Singers  of  Germany,  ibid. 
1869. 

xlv.*  In  Wesleyan  Methodist  Mag.,  London, 
Jan.  1869. 

xlvL  In  Church  Book,  Phila.,  1872. 

xlvii.  In  Golden  Legend(2d  interlude),  Boston, 
1872. 

xlviii.*  In  Praise  Book,  London,  1872. 

xlix.*  In  Church  of  England  Magazine, ibed., 
1872. 

1.  In  English  Hymns, their  authors  and  story, 
New  York,  1886  (but  already  translated  in  1873). 

li.  In  Uppingham  Hymn  Book  ed.  by  E.  Thring 
1874. 


38  "EIN  FESTE  BURG/' 

■lii-liv.  In  Lutheran  Observer,    Phila.,  1879. 

lv.  Unknown,  1879. 

lvi.  In  Luth.  Hymnal  of  the  Ohio  Synod,  Col- 
umbus, O.,  1880. 

lvii.  In  German  Reformed  Messenger, Phila., 
Sept.  15  1880. 

lviii.  In  Canada  Presbyterian  Hymnal,  1880. 

lix.  Unknown  ;f ound  in  some  church  paper  be- 
tween 1880-83. 

lx.  Found  in  a  religous  paper  between  1880- 
83. 

lxi.*  In  Church  of  England  H.  B.,  London, 
1882. 

lxii.   In  Peerless  Price,  Phila.,  1882. 

lxiii.  In  Hymns  of  M.  Luther,  New  York, 
1883. 

lxiv.  In  Luther  a  Song  Tribute,  Phila.  1883. 

lxv.*  In  Westminister  Abbey  H.  B.  London, 
1883. 

lxvi.  In  Academy,  London,  July  24,  1834. 

lxvii.  Supplied  by  the  author. 

lxviii.  In  Lutheran  Hymns,  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
1885. 

lix.   In  Rercraction  Songs,  Phila.,  1886. 

lxx.     In  The  Reading  Times,  1888. 

lxxi.  In  Lutheran,  Phila.,  Feb.,  23,  1888;  re- 
printed by  S chaff,  Hist,  of  the  Christ,  Church,  vi, 
p.  742. 

lxxii.  In  the  Workman, Pitsburg,  March  1, 
1888. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  39 

lxxiii.   In  the  Lutheran,  Phila.,  March  3,1888. 

lxxiv.   In  the  Lutheran,  March  3,  1888. 

lxxv.  In  Lutheran.  March  3,  1888,  styled  by 
the  author  a  paraphrase. 

lxxvi.   In  the  Lutheran,  Oct,  24,1889. 

lxxvii.   In  Lutheran  Observer,  Dec.  13,  1889. 

lxxviii.   In  Luth.  Observer,  1891. 

lxxix.  In  Expository  Times, Edinburgh, Dec, 
1891. 

lxxx .  This  version  into  Broad  Scotch  was 
published  by  W.  W.  Smith,of  Newmarket,  Ont, 
in  the  Sunday-School  Times,  Phila., Nov.  24,  1888. 


<S?A 


List  of  Eighty 

Translations  of 
"Ein  feste  Burg." 


w 


s 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  41 


ANON. 

1708. 
OD  is  our  refuge  and  strong  fence, 

Is  our  best  arms  and  armour; 
While  powers  of  darkness  now  commence 
Their  last  and  grand  temptation  hour. 
While  the  old  enemy 
Assaults  us  irefully, 
All  arm'd  with  strength  and  art — 
With  grim  and  fiery  dart — 
None  like  him  all  the  world  o'er. 

Nought  here  avails  our  strength  or  deed; 

We  presently  must  be  destroy'd. 
But  for  us  fights  a  Man  indeed; 
A  Champion  bold,  th'  Elect  of  God. 
Does  any  ask,  who  is't  ? 
His  name  is  Jesus  Christ; 
The  Lord  of  Hosts  Divine; 
We'll  to  none  else  incline. 
He,  He  sustains  the  inroad. 

And  should  we  thousand  devils  see, 

Just  ready  us  to  swallow, 
We  would  not  dcubt  the  victory: 
The  day  is  ours  we  surely  know. 
The  Prince  of  this  world  vain, 
With  all  his  might  and  main, 
Can  do  no  injury ; 
For  judg'd  himself  is  he. 
One  little  word  can  him  o'er  throw. 


42  "EIN  FESTE  BURG.'" 

They  shall  not  shake  God's  stable  word. 

And  this  we  shall  not  thank'em  for. 
He  keeps  the  field  with  flaming  sword 
Of  his  own  Spirit's  victorious  power: 
And  tho'  they  rob  of  life, 
Goods,  honour,  child  or  wife; 
To  them  no  gain  'twill  be; 
We'll  stand  resign 'd  and  free: 
The  kingdom's  left  still  at  the  door. 


8 


J.  C.  JACOBI. 
1722. 
OD  is  our  Refuge  in  distress, 

Our  strong  defence  and  armor: 
He's  present,  when  left  comfortless, 
In  raging  storms  our  harbor. 
Th'  infernal  enemy, 
Look  !  how  enraged  is  he  ! 
He  now  exerts  his  force 
To  stop  the  Gospel-course; 
Who  can  withstand  this  tyrant  ? 

All  human  power  must  here  be  lost; 

Our  strength  would  soon  be  moved; 
The  Valiant  Man.  of  whom  we  boast. 
Is  Christ  the  well-beloved: 
This  is  the  Conqueror 
Endowed  with  foreign  power, 
The  Lord  both  great  and  good, 
And  only  living  God, 
He  gains  the  field  of  battle. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  43 

If  all  the  devils  should  wage  the  fight 

In  order  to  destroy  us, 
They  would  not  put  us  into  fright, 
The  victory  should  be  joyous. 
We  scorn  the  prince  of  hell; 
With  fury  let  him  swell; 
He  cannot  hurt  one  hair, 
We  shall  escape  his  snare, 
One  single  word  can  rout  him. 

This  word  puts  all  our  foes  to  flight, 
With  shame  they  are  confounded, 
For  Christ  instructs  our  hands  to  fight. 
His  Spirit  is  unbounded. 

Tho'  we  should  lose  our  lives, 
Fame,  children,  goods,  and  wives, 
Destroying  all  they  can, 
They'll  find  but  little  gain- 
God's  kingdom  is  our  portion. 


8 


/XT. 
J.  C.  JACOBI. 
1732. 
OD  is  cur  refuge  in  distress, 

Our  strong  defence  and  armor, 
He's  present  when  we're  comfortless, 
In  storms  He  is  our  harbor. 
Th'  infernal  enemy, 
Look  !  how  enraged  is  he  ! 
He  now  exerts  his  force 
To  stop  the  Gospel  course: 
Who  can  withstand  this  tyrant  ? 


44  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

All  human  power  is  but  dust, 
Our  strength  an  idle  story; 
The  Valiant  Man,  in  whom  we  trust, 
Is  Christ,  the  Lord  of  glory. 
He  is  the  Conqueror, 
Vested  with  sovereign  pow'r. 
The  Lord  both  great  and  good, 
The  only  living  God, 
Gains  us  the  field  of  battle. 

If  all  the  devils  should  wage  the  war 

In  order  to  destroy  us, 
They  should  not  once  put  us  in  fear; 
The  victory  would  be  joyous. 
We  dare  the  prince  of  hell; 
With  fury  let  him  swell; 
He  cannot  hurt  one  hair; 
We  shall  escape  his  snare; 
Christ's  single  word  can  rout  him. 

His  word  puts  all  our  foes  to  flight; 
With  shame  they  are  confounded; 
For  Christ  instructs  our  hands  to  fight; 
His  Spirit  is  unbounded. 

Tho'  we  should  lose  our  lives, 
Fame,  children,  goods,  and  wives, 
Destroy  hell  what  it  can, 
'Twill  find  but  little  gain, 
God's  kingdom  is  our  portion. 


6 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  4$ 

IV. 
ANON. 
1754. 
OD  is. our  rufuge  in  distress, 

Our  strong  defence  and  armour; 
He's  present,  when  we're  comfortless, 
In  storms  be  is  our  harbour; 
The  foal  old  enemy, 
Look  how  enrag'd  is  he  ! 
Much  cunning,  great  might, 
Dreadful  make  his  spight; 
On  this  Earth  none  is  like  him. 

By  our  strength  there  is  nothing  done, 

We  soon  are  lost  and  marred; 
But  there  fights  for  us  the  right  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  prepared  : 
Ask'st  thou  for  his  name  ? 
Tis  Jesus  Christ,  the  same 
Known  Lord  of  Hosts  to  be, 
There  is  no  God  but  he;     • 
He  sure  must  win  the  battle. 

And  if  the  world  with  devils. swarm'd 

Who  threaten'd  us  to  swallow, 
We're  not  afraid,  for  we  are  arm'd, 
And  victory  must  follow. 

We  dare  the  world — God's  pow'r, 
Let  him  look  ne'er  so  sour; 
What  can  he  attempt, 
Has  he  not  been  condemn'd  ? 
One  word  will  make  him  tremble. 


46  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

The  Word  of  God  stands,  and  goes  on, 

And  men  have  no  thanks  for  it. 
The  Lord  stands  by  us  in  the  van 
With  his  good  gifts  and  Spirit; 
They  may  take  our  life, 
Name,  goods,  child  and  wife; 
We  to  all  submit, 
They'll  nothing  gain  by  it, 
And  we  shaJl  have  God's  Kingdom. 


(31 


V. 
THOMAS  CARLYLE. 
1831. 
safe  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 

A  trusty  shield  and  weapon; 
He'll  help  us  clear  from  all  the  ill 
That  hath  us  now  o'ertaken. 
The  ancient  prince  of  hell 
Hath  risen  with  purpose  fell; 
Strong  mail  of  craft  and  power 
He  weareth  in  this  hoar; 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

With  force  of  arms  we  nothing  can, 

Full  soon  were  we  downridden; 
But  for  us  fights  the  proper  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  hath  bidden. 
Ask  ye,  who  is  this  same  ? 
Christ  Jesus  is  his  name, 
The  Lord  Zebaoth's  Son, 
He  and  no  other  one 
Shall  conquer  in  the  battle. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  47 

And  were  this  world  all  devils  o'er, 

And  watching  to  devour  us, 
We  lay  it  not  to  heart  so  sore, 
Not  they  can  overpower  us. 
And  let  the  prince  of  il] 
Look  grim  as  e'er  he  will, 
He  harms  us  not  a  whit : 
For  why  ?     His  doom  is  writ, 
A  word  shall  quickly  slay  him. 

God's  word,  for  all  their  craft  and  force, 

One  moment  will  not  linger; 
But  spite  of  hell,  shall  have  its  course, 
Tis  written  by  His  finger. 
And  though  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  children,  wife, 
Yet  is  their  profit  small; 
These  kings  shall  vanish  all, 
The  city  of  God  remaiueth. 


<a 


VI. 
H.  MILLS. 
1844. 
tower  of  safety  is  our  God, 

His  sword  and  shield  defend  us; 
His  mercy,  too,  relieves  the  load 
Of  evils  that  attend  us. 
But  the  ancient  foe 
Strives  to  work  our  woe; 
Fearful  power  and  art 
In  him  their  force  exert; 
On  earth  he  has  no  rival. 


48  "EiN  FESTE  BURG." 

By  strength  of  ours  naught  could  be  done, 

The  strife  full  soon  were  ended;     , 
But  fights  for  us  that  righteous  One 
By  God  himself  commended. 
Needs  his  name  be  told  ? 
Jesus — from  of  old 
Lord  of  Sabaoth, — 
Our  God  and  Saviour  both, — 
He  shall  our  souls  deliver. 

Though  devils  all  the  earth  should  fill, 

Each  gaping  to  devour  us, 
This  Saviour  would  our  terrors  quell, 
And  victory  guide  before  us, 
Prince  of  this  vain  world, 
Be  thy  fury  hurled 
On  our  heads. — 'twere  vain  ! 
He  will  thy  rage  restrain; 
His  smallest  word  subdue  thee. 

His  truth  our  foes  shall  help  to  show; 

For  this  no  thanks  they  merit; 
Believing  Him  we  onward  go, 
He  cheers  us  by  His -Spirit. 
Should  they,  in  the  strife, 
Quench  our  joys  and  life; 
When  their  worst  is  done, 
For  us  the  victory's  won, — 
He'll  crown  us  then  with  glory. 


8 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  49 

VII. 

HENRIETTA  J.  FRY. 

1845. 

OD  is  the  city  of  our  strength  ! 
Our  hearts,  exulting,  cry  ; 

He  is  our  bulwark  and  defence — 

Our  arms  for  victory. 
He  helps  our  souls  through  earth's  distress 
That  meets  us  in  the  wilderness. 

Satan,  the  old  manlignant  foe 

Now  works,  with  purposed  mind,  our  woe; 

Perfidious  cunning,  fiendish  might, 

He  bears,  as  weapons  for  the  tight, 

Whilst  equal  none  on  earth  has  he, 

To  struggle  for  the  mastery. 

By  human  strength  and  human  skill 

No  worthy  wreaths  are  won ; 
Abandoned  to  ourselves  we  sink 

In  wretchedness  undone. 
Yet  in  our  cause,  a  Champion  stands, 

A  Champion  true,  is  He. 
Whom  God  hath  chosen  for  the  fight, 
Our  Lord  and  chief  to  be: 

Say,  dost  man  ask  His  peerless  name  ? 
Jesus  our  conquering  King,  we  claim; 
Lord  of  Sabaoth  ! — Go4  alone, 
And  He  must  hold  the  field  His  arm    of 
might  hath  won. 

What  though  the  hosts  of  Satan  stand 
In  gathering  legions,  through  the  land, 
Prepared  to  raise  the  victor's  cry 


50  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

And  whelm  our  souls  in  misery; 
Yet  fear  we  not  the  vaunting  foe, 
Our  conquering  band  shall  forward  go. 
Prince  of  this  world!  Thy  hellish  rage 
Shall  ne'er  our  stedfast  zeal  assuage: 

Thy  power  is  fixed  by  heaven's    decree, 
And  here  its  r agings  cease  to  be: 
Thy  boast  is  vain  !  a  breath — a  word 
Subdues  thee, — 'tis  the  Spirit's  sword. 

The  word  of  truth  unhurt  shall  stand, 

In  spite  of  every  foe; 
The  Lord  himself  is  on  our  side, 
And  he  will  help  bestow: 
His  spirit's  might,  His  gifts  of  grace 
Are  with  us  at  the  needful  place. 

What  though  ihey  take  our  lives  away, 

Our  lives  we  oft'er  for  a  prey; 
Though  wealth  and  weal  and  fortune  go, 

And  wife  and  friend  depart — 
With  all  the  tenderest  ties  that  throw 

Their  magic  round  the  heart; 
And  though  the  spoilers  haste  away, 

And  bear  our  treasures  hence, 
Since  man  is  but  a  child  of  clay 

And  heir  of  impotence  — 
It  boots  them  not,  their  boast  is  vain, 

Their  promised  trophies  fall; 
Whilst  to  the  Christian,  loss  is  gain, 

And  heaven  out- values  all: 
A  glorious  kingdom  yet  shall  be 

This  heritage  of  bliss,  to  all  eternity. 


8 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  51 

17//. 

.JOHN  ANDERSON. 

L847. 

OD  to  us  a  tower  will  be, 

Shield,  aud  sword,  and  armoury; 
He  will  be  our  friend  indeed, 
He  will  help  us  in. our  need. 

Now  the  old  and  wicked  one 
Thinks  to  see  our  cause  undone, 
Putting  forth  himself  the  while, 
All  his  power,  and  all  his  guile; 
Such  the  armor  he  puts  on, 
Earth  to  cope  with  him  has  none. 

Vain  our  might — exerted  most — 
Soon  indeed  would  all  be  lost — 
But  for  us, and  in  the  van, 
Fighting,  oh  !  a  mighty  man — 
God  !  has  sent  him  to  our  aid, 
God  on  him  our  help  has  laid. 

Leading  on  the  desperate  fight, 
Who  is  this  ?    The  Lord  of  might. 
He  is  God — and  none  but  He 
Certain  is  of  victory  ! 

Though  the  world  were  full  of  devils, 
Safe  are  we  from  all  their  evils; 
Dreadful  though  their  look  appear, 
Let  them  come — we  know  qo  fear; 
Doom'd  of  God,  and  cursed  they  feel, 
Their  defeat  a  word  can  seal. 


52  "EINFESTE  BURG." 

Mighty  word  !  with  us  remain, 
Satan's  art  shall  prove  in  vain. 
He  may  take  away  our  life, 
Riches,  honour,  child  and  wife — 
Let  all  these  from  us  depart. 
What  is  left  ?    Our  peace  of  heart. 
Wo  !  for  them  the  closing  strife  ! 
Joy  for  us,  and  crown  of  life  ! 
Earth  and  hell  combine  in  vain 
Our  God's  kingdom  must  remain. 


Q 


IX. 
J.  K.  BAGGER. 
1850. 

UR  God  a  fortress  is  most  strong, 

He  keeps  us  safe  fo::  ever; 
All  those  who  unto  him  belong 
From  danger  he'll  deliver. 
Our  evil  enemy 
Now  rages  seriously; 
Most  dreadful  is  his  might, 
He  studies  day  and  night, 
How  he  from  God  may  draw  us. 

Our  strength,  alas,  is  frail  and  slight, 

It  never  could  defend  us; 
But  there  is  one  will  for  us  fight, 
Assistance  kindly  send  us; 
His  name  is  known  to  all. 
We  J'esus  Christ  him  call. 
The  Lord  of  Sabaoth 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  53 

There  is  no  other  God. 
The  field  he  surely  keepeth. 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  fill'd 

That  threaten'd  to  devour  us, 
No  fear  of  them  would  make  us  yield, 
Nor  could  they  overpow'r  us. 
Fell  Satan  in  his  wrath 
Endangers  not  our  path ; 
In  Scripture's  book  we  find, 
His  doom  by  Christ  was  sign'd; 
A  Word  of  Christ  alarms  him. 

The  word  our  foes  shall  let  remain 

With  out  our  thanks  receiving; 
The  Saviour  will  our  strength  maintain, 
None  unprotested  leaving. 
And  if  depriv'd  of  life, 
Goods,  honour,  children, wife, 
Yet  we  will  not  complain, 
The  foe  shall  nothing  gain; 
For  ours  is,  God,  thy  kingdom  ! 


€1 


X 

AXON. 
1850. 

safe  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 
Our  shield  and  surest  weapon; 
He  will  deliver  from  the  ill 
That  hath  us  now  o'er  taken. 
Our  old  deadly  foe 
Now  aims  his  last  blow; 


54  "EIN  FESTE  BURG.'" 

Deep  guile  and  strong  power 
He  boasteth  in  this  hour: 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

By  strength  of  ours  could  naught  be  done, 

The  strife  full  soon  were  ended, 
But  for  us  fights  the  valiant  One, 
By  God  himself  commended. 
Ask  you,  "Who  is  He?" 
Christ  Jesus  !  There  see 
The  Lord  Sabbaoth, 
Our  God  and  Saviour  both — 
He  conquers  in  this  battle. 

Though  devils  all  the  earth  should  fill, 

Each  watching  to  devour  us, 
We  tremble  not.  we  fear  no  ill. 
They  cannot  overpow'r  us. 
The  false  prince  of  helL 
May  rage,  rave  and  swell. 
He  harms  not  a  hair, 
We  shall  escape  his  snare, 
Christ's  lightest  word  shall  stay  him. 

His  word  for  ever  shah  abide. 

Our  foes  can  ne'er  destroy  it, 
He  standeth  ever  at  our  side, 
And  cheers  us  by  his  Spirit. 
And  take  they  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  children,  wife. 
When  their  worst  is  done. 
Yet  have  they  nothing  won — 
We  shall  receive  the  kingdom. 


ii 


<a 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS. 

XT. 

J.  H.  BUCKOLL. 

1850. 

Tower  of  strength  our  God  doth  stand. 

A  shield  and  sure  defender; 
True  help  from  all  our  woes  His  hand 
Through  life  doth  freely  render. 
Our  foe  hath  fixed  his  purpose  fell; — 
With  might  and  craft    he's    armed 
full  well;— 
Naught  earthly  can  resist  him." 

"Full  soon  we're    lost,    and    vanquished 
quite, 
Our  strength  hath  naught  effected: 
Yet  he  for  us  maintains  the  fight, 
Whom  God  Himself  selected. 

Ask  ye  His  name  ?   'tis   Christ    our 

Lord, 
The  God  of  Hosts  alone  adored, 
Our     champion, — none     dare     brave 
Him." 

"Should  hell's  whole    legions    round    us 
press, 
All  banded  to  devour  us, 
Yet  this  should  work  us  good  success, 
Nor  fear  e'en  then  o'erpower  us: 
Though  this    world's    Prince    look 

fierce  and  bold, 
It  matters  not,  his  doom  is  told, 
A  single  word  can  foil  him. " 


56  UE1N  FESTE  BURG." 

"Our  foes  must  let  the  Word  stand  sure, 
No  thanks  for  this  they're  reaping; 
God's  Spirit  in  His  way  secure, 
God's  grace  our  sou]  is  keeping: 
Those  foes    may    spoil    all    earthly 

bliss; 
Let  be  !  they'll  wiu  no  gain  from  this; 
God's  kingdom  still  is  left  us  !" 


a 


XII. 

A.  T.  RUSSELL. 
1851. 

strong  tower  is  our  God's  great  name, 

A  bulwark  that  availeth: 
He  doth  deliver  us  from  shame 
Now  evil  us  assaileth: 
The  old  cruel  foe 
Thirsts  us  to  o'erthrow: 
Great  deceit,  great  might, 
Prepare  him  for  the  fight: 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 

Soon  are  we  lost:  by  our  poor  might. 

In  vain  the  war's  sustained: 
For  us  that  Righteous  One  doth  light 
Whom  God  Himself  ordained. 
Him  shall  we  proclaim  ? 
Jesus  Christ  His  name: 
He  is  God  alone; 
Him  Lord  of  Hosts  we  own: 
He  on  the  field  mast  triumph. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  57 

Though  all  the  world  with  fiends  abound, 

Who  would  devour  and  rend  us, 
Dismay  shall  not  our  hearts  confound: 
Success  shall  yet  attend  us. 
Tuis  world's  prince  may  rage, 
And  to  hurt  engage: 
Powerless  yet  is  he: 
He  doth  but  heaven's  decree: 
A  word  can  overwhelm  him. 


(21 


XIII. 

F.H.  HEDGE. 
1852. 

mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 

A  bulwark  never  failing; 
Our  helper  He,  amid  the  flood 
Of  mortal  ills  prevailing. 
For  still  our  ancient  foe 
Doth  seek  to  work  us  woe; 
His  craft  and  power  are  great, 
And  armed  with  cruel  hate. 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

Did  we  in  our  own  strength  confide, 

Our  striving  would  be  losing — 
Were  not  the  risrht  Man  on  our  side, 
The  man  of  Gods  own  choosing. 
Dost  ask,  who  that  may  be  '? 
Christ  Jesus,  it  is  he; 
His  name  Lord  Sabaoth, 
Our  God  and  Saviour  both, 
He  shall  our  souls  deliver. 


58  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

And  though  this  world,  with  devils  filled, 

Should  threaten  to  undo  us. 
We  will  not  fear,  for  God  hath  willed 
His  truth  to  triumph  through  us, 
The  Prince  of  Darkness  grim — 
We  tremble  not  for  him: 
His  rage  we  can  endure, 
For  lo  !  his  doom  is  sure, 
One  little  word  shaU  fell  him. 

That  word  above  all  earthly  powers — 

No  thanks  to  them — abideth; 
The  Spirit  and  the  gift  are  ours. 
Through  Him  who  with  us  sideth. 
Let  goods  and  kindred  go, 
This  mortal  life  also; 
The  body  they  may  kill. 
God's  truth  abideth  still, 
His  kingdom  is  for  ever. 


(21 


XIV. 

WM.  M.  BUNTING. 
1852. 
strong  tower  is  the  Lord  our  God, 

To  shelter  and  defend  us; 
Our  shield  His  arm,  our  sword  His  rod, 
Against  our  foes  befriend  us  : 
That  ancient  enemy, 
His  gathering  powers  we  see, 
His  terrors  and  his  toils; 
Yet  victory,  with  its  spoils, 
Not  earth,  but  heaven,  shall  send  us  ! 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  59 

Though  wrestling  with  the  wrath  of  hell, 

No  might  of  man  avails  us  : 
Our  captain  is  Immanuel, 
And  angel  comrades  hail  us  ! 
Still  challenge  ye  His  name  ? 
"Christ  in  the  flesh  who  came" — 
"The  Lord,  the  Lord  of  hosts  !" 
Our  cause  His  succor  boasts, 
And  God  shall  never  fail  us  ! 

Though  earth  by  peopling  fiends  be  trod, 

Embattled  all,  yet  bidden; 
And  though  their  proud  usurping  god 
O'er  thrones  and  shrines  have  stridden; 
Nay,  let  them  stand  revealed, 
And  darken  all  the  field: 
We  fear  not:  fall  they  must ! 
The  Word,  wherein  we  trust, 
Their  triumph  had  forbidden. 

While  mighty  truth  with  us  remains, 

Hell's  arts  shall  move  us  never; 
Nor  parting  friendships,  honors,  gams, 
Our  love  from  Jesus  sever: 
They  leave  us,  when  they  part 
With  Him,  a  peaceful  heart; 
And  when  from  death  we  rise, 
Death  yields  us,  as  He  dies, 
The  crown  of  life  forever. 


60  "EIN  FESTE  BURG. 

XV. 
JOHN  HUNT. 
1853. 
mighty  castle  is  our  God, 


a 


A  good  help  in  the  evil  day; 
A  refuge  sure — a  firm  abode 
For  them  that  make  of  Him  their  stay. 
Again  the  old  and  wicked  one, 
Against  us  puts  his  armour  on; 
Great  is  hip  guile  and  great  his  might — 
Tis  dread  the  hellish  fiend  to  fight; 
And  we  on  earth  shall  seek  in  vain 
For  one  that  can  the  victory  gain. 

But  nothing  on  your  strength  avails, 
For  we  are  sunk  beneath  sin's  load; 
Yet  there  is  one  the  fiend  assails — 
Onesent  and  chosen  by  our  God. 

"Who  is  this  great  and  mighty  one  ? 

It  is  the  Fathei  's  only  Son  ! 

He  is  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth — 

He  is  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth  ! 

There  is  no  other  God  but  He, 

And  He  must  gain  the  victory. 

What  then  though  devils  triumph  here, 

And  wish  the  saints  of  God  to  slay; 
Their  hellish  rage  we  do  not  fear, 
.  For  God  is  our  defence  and  stay. 

This  world's  dread  prince  no  gain  shall 

see — 
In  safety  shall  God's  people  be, 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  61 

However  dread  he  may  appear, 
The  little  flock  need  never  fear; 
For  God  Himself  shall  judge  the  foe, 
And  hurl  him  to  eternal  woe. 

And  let  the  word  of  God  remain, 

Then  nothing  shall  we  have  to  fear; 
God  with  His  strength  shall  us  sustain, 
Whatever  dangers  may  be  near. 
Our  foes  may  take  our  present  life, 

Our  goods  and  honours,  child  and  wife; 
Yes  !  They  may  take  them  if  they  will, 
But  we  have  things  more  precious  still; 
Though  they  possess  them,  what  their 

gains  ? 
A  kingdom  yet  to  us  remains. 


Q 


XVI. 

JOHN  HUNT! 

L853. 

UR  God's  a  tower  and  shield, 
A  strong  and  sure  defence : 
To  us -our  every  foe  shall  yield — 
Our  help's  Omnipotence. 
The  old  and  wicked  one 

Again  prepares  to  fight; 
He  puts  his  guile  and  armour  on, 
And  dreadful  is  his  might. 

Our  strength  shall  not  avail, 
Beneath  the  weight  of  sin; 
But  there  is  One  that  doth  assail, 


62  "EIN  FESTE  BURG."' 

And  shall  the  triumph  win. 

Who  is  this  mighty  One 
That  meets  the  foe  so  wroth  ? 

He  is  the  Father's  only  Son — 
The  Lord  of  Sabaoth . 

What  then  though  Satan  n>ge, 

And  devils  would  us  slay, 
Our  God  shall  all  our  storms  assuage — 
Our  sure  defence  and  stay. 

The  foe  shall  strive  in  vain — 
The  flock  may  rest  in  peace; 

No  victory  shall  he  ever  gain — 
No  triumph  shall  be  his. 

But  let  the  Word  remain 

And  nothing  shall  we  fear ; 
Omnipotence  shall  us  sustain, 
Whatever  may  be  near. 

Our  ioes  may  take  our  life, 
But  what  shall  be  their  gains  ? 
Though  they  should  take  our  child  and 
wife. 
God's  kingdom  yet  remains. 


a 


XVII. 

R.  MASSIE. 

1854. 

castle  is  our  Go  J,  a  tower, 
A  shield  and  trusty  weapon; 

He  saveth  us  by  His  strong  power 
From  all  the  ills  that  happen. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  63 

The  old  arch-fiend,  I  trow, 
Is  in  good  earnest  now; 
Great  might  and  cunning  are 
His  panoply  of  war; 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 

Stood  we  alone  in  our  own  might, 

Full  sure  were  we  of  losing; 
For  us  the  one  true  Man  doth  fight, 
The  Man  of  God's  own  choosing. 
Dost  thou  inquire  his  name  ? 
Christ  Jesus  we  proclaim, 
The  God  who  armies  guides, 
There  is  no  God  beside; 
In  every  field  He  triumphs. 

What  tho'  the  world   should    swarm    with 
fiends 
Eager  to  tear  and  rend  us  ? 
We  will  not  fear,  if  God  befriends, 
Success  shall  yet  attend  us. 
Tne  prince  who  rules  below 
No  harm  can  do  us,  though 
He  looks  so  fierce  and  grim, 
For  Christ  hath  judged  him  ; 
A  little  word  can  slay  him. 

Leave  us  they  must  Thy  blessed  WTord, 

For  which  no  thanks  they  merit; 
With  us  abideth  still  the  Lord, 
His  gifts  and  Holy  Spirit. 
Take,  if  they  will,  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  chilJ,  and  wife; 


64  .     '-EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

We  freely  let  them  go; 
They  profit  not  the  foe; 
With  us  remains  the  kingdom. 


a 


XVIII. 

FRANCES  ELIZ.  COX. 
1854. 

fortress  firm  and  steadfast  Rock 

Is  God  in  time  of  danger; 
A  Shield  and  Sword  in  every  shock 
From  foe  well  known  or  stranger. 
The  old  foe  of  man, 
Intent  on  his  plan. 
With  might  and  with  craft 
Still  plies  each  deadly  shaft; 
His  like  earth  saw  not  ever. 

In  our  own  might,  so  lost  our  plight, 

Our  arm  no  conquest  gaineth; 
That  righteous  Man  must  win  the  fight 
Whom  God  himself  ordaineth. 
Thou  askest  his  name  ? 
None  else  bears  the  same. — 
Christ  Jesus  the  Lord, 
As  God  of  hosts  adored, 
'Tis  He  must  wiu  the  battle. 

And  were  the  world  a  hungry  crew 

Of  devils  all  around  us. 
Their  leaguer ed  host  we  could  subdue, 

The  thought  need  not  confound  us. 
The  world's  vanquished  prince 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  65 

His  doom  had  long  since; 
His  fiercest  array 
One  word  of  faith  can  fray, 
In  spite  of  threatening  gesture. 

Unharmed  the  Word  shall  yet  remain: 

For  this  no  thanks  they  merit; 
He  aids  us  on  our  battle-plain 
With  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Then  take  they  our  life, 
Wealth,  fame,  child,  and  wife; 
No  triumph  they  gain, 
For  all  their  boast  is  vain, 
While  ours  is  still  the  kingdom. 


& 


XIX. 
CATH.  WINKWORTH. 
1855. 
OD  is  our  stronghold  firm  and  sure, 

Our  trusty  shield  and  weapon; 
He  shall  deliver  us,  whate'er 
Of  ill  to  us  may  happen. 
Our  ancient  enemy 
In  earnest  now  is  he; 
Much  craft  and  great  might 
Arm  him  for  the  fight; 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

Our  might  is  naught  but  weakness;  soon 

Should  we  the  battle  lose, 
But  for  us  fights  the  rightful  Man, 

Whom  God  himself  doth  choose. 
Askest  thou  his  name  ? 


66  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Tis  Jesus  Christ,  the  same 
Whom  Lord  of  hosts  we  caD, 
God  only  over  all; 
None  from  the  field  can  drive  Him. 

What  though  the  world  were  full  of  fiends, 

That  would  us  sheer  devour  ! 
We  know  we  yet  shall  win  the  day, 
We  fear  not  all  their  power. 
The  prince  of  this  world  still 
May  struggle  as  he  will; 
He  nothing  can  prevail, 
A  word  shall  make  him  quail, 
For  he  is  judged  of  Heaven. 

The  word  of  God  they  shall  not  touch, 

Yet  have  no  thanks  therefor; 
God  by  His  Spirit  and  His  gifts 
Is  with  us  in  the  war. 
Then  let  them  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  children,  wife. 
Though  naught  of  these  we  save, 
Small  profit  shall  they  have, — 
The  kinsrdom  ours  abideth. 


@ 


XX. 
W.  L.  ALEXANDER. 

1855. 

fortress  firm  is  God  our  Lord, 
A  sure  defence  and  weapon; 

Prompt  help  in  need  he  doth  afford 
Let  happen  what  may  happen. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  67 

Our  ancient  wicked  foe 
Pull  of  wrath  doth  go, 
With  much  craft  and  might 
In  horrid  armor  dight: 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

Of  our  own  might  we  nothing  can, 

We  lie  forlorn,  dejected, 
There  fights  for  us  the  rightful  Man, 
By  God  himself  elected. 

Dost  thou  inquire  his  name  ? 
Jesus  Christ  ?  The  same  ! 
Lord  of  hosts  is  He; 
Besides  Him  none  can  be: 
'Tis  He  the  field  that  keepeth. 

And  were  this  world  of  devils  full, 

For  our  destruction  eager, 
That  should  not  our  firm  faith  annul; 
We  would  abide  their  leaguer. 
The  prince  of  this  lost  world, 
From  his  empire  hurled, 
Though  with  rage  he  roar, 
Is  judged,  and  can  no  more; 
A  word  shall  overthrow  him. 

Hold  fast  that  word  which  must  remain. 

Let  no  dark  doubt  invade  us; 
He  will  be  with  us  on  the  plain, 
With  gifts  and  grace  to  aid  us. 
Let  life  and  honor  fall, 
Let  them  take  our  all, 
Still  our  course  we'll  keep, 
No  prize  from  us  they'll  reap; 
For  us  the  kingdom  waiteth. 


<9 


68  "EINFESTE  BURG." 

XXI. 
H.  W.  DULCKEN. 
1856. 

UR  God,  a  tower  of  strength  is  He, 

A  good  defence  and  weapon; 
From  every  care  He  helps  us  free 
That  unto  us  doth  happen. 
The  old  evil  foe 
With  rage  now  doth  glow; 
Much  cunning,  and  great  power 
His  fearful  armor  are — 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 

"With  our  own  might  is  nothing  done; 

We  soon  are  lost  and  fallen; 
There  fights  for  us  the  righteous  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  hath  callen. 
Dost  ask  who  He  is  ? 
Christ  Jesus,  I  wis; 
The  Lord  Sabaoth — 
There  is  no  other  God, — 
And  He  must  be  triumphant. 

Though  the  world  full  of  devils  were, 

All  ready  to  devour  us, 
Still  have  we  not  such  grievous  fear, — 
The  victory  is  for  us, 
The  prince  of  this  earth 
May  scowl  in  his  wrath; 
But  powerless  must  be, 
For  judged  is  he; 
A  word  can  overcome  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS,.  69- 

His  written  Word  shall  they  let  stand, 

And  little  thanks  inherit; 
He  iighteth  for  us  in  the  land 
With  his  good  gifts  and  Spirit.' 
And,  take  they  the  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child,  and  wife, 
Let  all  pass  away, — 
Small  profit  have  they, — 
The  kingdom  yet  awaits  us. 


a 


XXII. 
ANONYM. 

1857. 

fast,  firm  fortress  is  our  God, 

A  right  good  ward  and  weapon; 
He  helps  when  troubles  are  abroad, 
Now  when  distresses  happen. 
The  ancient  hellish  foe 
Plots  our  overthrow; 
Armed  with  cruel  spite, 
.  Much  cunning  and  great  might, 
On  earth  there's  not  his  fellow. 

By  our  own  might  there  is  nothing  done, 

We'd  very  soon  surrender; 
He  fights  for  us,  Gtd's  chosen  One, 
Our  Champion  and  Defender. 
Ask  you,  who's  the  same  ? 
Christ  Jesus  is  his  name; 
The  Lord  of  Sabaoth, 
Who  God  and  Man  is  both, 
The  field  must  needs  be  holden. 


70  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Though  hosts  of  devils  earth  should  till, 

All  eager  to  devour  us, 
We  need  not  fear, we'll  triumph  still, 
So  his  right  arm  empower  us. 
Armed  are  we  not,  since 
Judged  is  the  world's  Prince, 
Looks  he  sour  and  grim, 
We  quail  not,  fear  not  him — 
One  word  can  hurl  him  headlong. 

The  word  of  God  they  shall  let  stand, 

And  no  thanks  have  they  for  it; 
His  Spirit's  presence  He'll  command 
On  such  as  shall  implore  it. 
Take  then  from  us  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
Let  them — when  it's  done, 
They  will  have  nothing  won  ! 
God's  kingdom  still  remaineth. 


<a 


XXIII. 

JAS.  STEVEN  STALLYBRASS. 
1857. 

sure  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 

A  trusty  shield  and  weapon; 
He'll  help  us  clear  from  all  the  ill 
That  e'r  to  us  can  happen; 
That  ancient  spiteful  foe 
Means  us  deadly  woe; 
He  wears  at  this  hour 
Strong  mail  of  craft  and  pow'r, 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  71 

By  our  own  force  is  nothing  done, 

Our  cause  we'd  soon  be  losing; 
There  fights  for  us  a  mighty  One, 
The  Man  of  God's  own  choosing. 
Ask  ye  who  is  that  same  ? 
Jesus  Christ,  His  name, 
The  great,  the  one  Lord, 
By  all  heaven's  host  adored; 
'Tis  He  shall  win  the  battle. 

And  were  the  world  all  devils  o'er, 

And  watching  to  devour  us, 
We  lay  it  not  to  heart  so  sore, 
Not  they  can  overpow'r  us; 
Their  Prince  may  look  as  grim 
As  he  will, — from  him 
Shall  never  harm  come, 
Long  since  was  seal'd  his  doom; 
A  word  can  overthrow  him. 

The  Word,  they  still  must  let  it  stand, 

Yet  reap  no  praise  nor  merit; 
He  in  our  battle  bears  a  hand, 
By  His  good  gift  and  spirit; 
So  let  them  take  our  life, 
Fame,goods,  child  and  wife, 
Tho'  those  be  all  gone, 
Yet  nothing  have  they  won; 
To  us  remains  the  kingdom. 


72  "EJLN  FESTE  BURG. 

XXIV. 
R.  P.  DUNN. 
1859. 


(21 


stronghold  firm,  a  trusty  shield, 

When  raging  foes  appal  us, 
Our  God  defence  and  help  doth  yield, 
When  heavy  ills  befall  us. 
With  ancient  bitter  hate, 
Such  might  and  cunning  great, 
As  guides  no  earthly  arm, 
Plotting  us  deadly  harm. 
Our  foe  attempts  to  inthral  us. 

Our  human  strength  avails  us  naught, 

Our  struggles  soon  were  ended, 
And  we  in  hellish  snares  were  caught, 
Unless  by  God  befriended. 
Know  ye  our  Champion's  name  ? 
All  heaven  tells  his  fame. 
"Jesus,  the  Lord  of  hosts." 
His  might  our  weakness  boasts; 
By  Him  are  we  defended. 

What  though  in  every  path  of  life 

A  host  of  fiends  endeavor 
To  wound  us  in  the  deadly  strife  ? 
Their  arts  shall  triumph  never. 
The  author  of  all  ill 
May  threaten  as  he  will; 
His  throne  and  empire  proud, 
But  for  a  time  allowed. 
A  word  shall  end  forever. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  73 

God's  testimony  standeth  sure, 

Whatever  man  betideth, 
He  makes  the  weakest  saint  endure, 
Who  in  His  grace  confideth. 
Though  the  best  gifts  of  life 
Our  foes  seize  in  the  strife, 
We  cheerful  let  them  go; 
No  profit  have  they  so, 
For  heaven  ours  abideth. 


a 


XXV. 

W.  R.  WITTINGHAM. 
1860. 

mountain  fastness  is  our  God, 

On  which  our  souls  are  planted: 
And  though  tne  fierce  foe  rage  abroad 
Our  hearts  are  nothing  daunted . 
What  though  he  beset 
With  weapon  and  net, 
Arrayed  in  death-strife  ? 
In  God  are  help  and  life  . 
He  is  our  sword  and  armor. 

By  our  own  might  we  naught  can  do; 

To  trust  it  were  sure  losing; 
For  us  must  fight  the  right  and  true, 
The  man  of  God's  own  choosing. 
Dost  ask  for  his  name  ? 
Christ,  Jesus  we  claim; 
The  Lord  God  of  hosts; 
The-only  God; — vain  boasts 
Of  others  fall  before  Him. 


74  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

What  though  the  troops  of  Satan  filled 

The  world  with  hostile  forces  ? 
E'en  then  our  fears  should  all  be  stilled  : 
In  God  are  our  resources. 
The  world  and  its  king 
No  terrors  can  bring; 
Their  threats  are  no  worth; 
Their  doom  is  now  gone  forth; 
A  single  word  can  quell  them.  ' 

God's  word  through  all  shall  have  free  sway 

And  ask  no  man's  permission; 
The  Spirit  and  his  gifts  convey 
Strength  to  defy  perdition. 
The  body  to  kill, 
Wife,  children,  at  will, 
The  wicked  have  power, 
Yet  lasts  it  but  an  hour  ! 
The  kingdom's  ours  forever  ! 


8 


XXVI. 
ANONYM. 
186C 
OD,  our  own  God  ,  is  a  strong  tower, 

A  present  help  in  time  of  need, 
Our  hiding-place,  our  shield,  our  power, 
Our  hope  and  trust,  a  friend  indeed. 
Behold  the  enemy. 
0  how  enraged  is  he  ! 
Much  cunning  and  great  might 
Most  dreadful  make  his  spite; 
On  earth  his  equal  is  not  found. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  75 

Man's  boasted  strength  is  weakness  here, 

Our  reason's  powers  contend  in  vain; 
But  ONE  to  save  us  shall  appear, 
By  whom  the  victory  we  gain. 
And  dost  thou  ask  his  name  ? 
Tis  Jesus  Christ — the  same 
Known  Lord  of  hosts  to  be; 
There  is  no  God  but  He, 
And  by  his  blood  we  overcome. 

Yea,  if  the  world  with  devils  swarm 'd, 

In  fiery  ranks  and  fierce  array, 
We  fear  them  not;  by  faith  we're  arm'd, 
With  Christ  we're  sure  to  win  the  day. 
Thus  Satan  we  defy, 
Nor  dread  his  tyranny; 
The  great  accuser's  cast, 
His  tempting  power  is  past; 
And  all  God's  saints  shall  shout  for  joy. 

Foes  cannot  shake  the  word  of  truth, 

No  thanks  to  them — 'tis  left  unmoved. 
Our  Captain  has  the  day  of  youth, 
And  gives  his  Spirit,  blest  and  lov'd. 
Doth  man  bereave  of  life — 
Of  goods,  fame,  child,  and  wife  ? 
Nought — less  than  nought — he  gains, 
Our  Father's  woid  remains, 
The  kingdom  is  our  heritage. 


76  >'EIN  FESTE  BURG. 

XXVII. 
GEORGE  WALKER. 
1860. 


<a 


sure  defence,  a  fort,  a  tow'r, 

Is  God  to  us  m  time  of  need  : 
From  foes,  by  his  almighty  pow'r, 

Whoe'er  th'  assailants  be,  we're  freed. 
Now  Satan,  ancient  foe, 
Intends  our  overthrow  : 
Deceit,  and  force,  and  lies, 
Are  th'  arts  which  still  he  plies  : 
Nor  prowls  his  equal  here  below. 

Confide  in  flesh  we  never  can; 

Among  us  perturbation  reigns. 
But  for  us  fights  the  righteous  man 
Whom  God  to  save  his  folk  ordains. 
"And  who  is  this  ?"     Ye  cry. 
'Tis  Christ !  he  reigns  on  high, — 
The  same  with  God  in  name, 
In  glory,  power,  and  fame  : 
And  foes  must  all  before  him  fly. 

Our  feiuds  though  full  the  world  may  be, 

And  strive  to  overwhelm  our  souls, 
We  fearless  brave  them  all;  for  he 
In  our  behalf  their  wrath  controls. 

Let  Satan  'gainst  us  fume. 
1    And  horrid  forms  assume, — 
Tis  nought;  he's  overthrown  : 
From  heaven's  eternal  throne 
A  voice  shall  all  his  host  consume. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  77 

Through  Christ  to  earth  does  mercy  flow, 

But  they  to  Christ  no  homage  yield  : 
With  us  his  word  and  Spirit  go 
To  aid  us  in  thi  battle-field, 
And  let  them  take  our  life, 
Estate,  or  child,  or  wife, — 
There's  nought  in  all  their  gain, 
For  conquerors  we  remain. 
When  terminates  the  day  of  strife. 


a 


XXVI 1 1.  9 

J.  A.  SEISS. 
1861. 
Migbty  Bulwark  is  our  God, 

A  sure  Defence  and  Weapon; 
He  helps  us  free  through  trouble's  flood 
That  hath  us  now  o'ertaken. 
The  old  malign  foe: 
Now  means  us  fell  woe: 
Armed  with  craft  and  might, 
He's  set  for  dreadful  light. 
The  earth  hath  not  his  equal. 

By  strength  of  ours  we  ncught  can  do, 

Our  fall  were  soon  effected; 
But  for  us  fights  the  Champion  True, 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Ask  ye  who  it  be  ? 
Jesus  Christ  is  He; 
Hosts  obey  his  nod; 
And  there's  no  other  God. 
Sure  He  must  be  the  Victor. 


78  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Though  Satan's  hosts  the  earth  should  fill, 

All  eager  to  devour  us; 
We're  not  dismayed  with  fears  of  ill, 
They  cannot  overpower  us. 
This  world's  prince  may  still 
Scowl  fierce  as  he  will ; 
Us  no  harm  is  done: 
He's  jadged.  the  victory's  won; 
A  little  word  can  fell  them. 

God's  Word  unshaken  shall  remain, 

Nor  they  the  thanks  shall  merit; 
He's  with  us  on  the  battle-plain 
With  his  good  gifts  and  Spirit 
Take  they  freedom,  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
When  their  worst  is  done, 
They  have  but  little  won. 
The  kingdom  ours  abideth. 


<a 


XXIX. 
W.  M.  REYNOLDS. 
1863. 
safe  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 

A  sure  defence  and  weapon; 
He  will  deliver  from  all  ill 
That  unto  us  can  happen. 
Our  old  and  bitter  foe 
Is  fain  to  work  us  woe; 
In  strength  and  cunning,  he 
Is  arm'd  full  fearfully; 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  79 

By  strength  of  ours  we  naught  can  do, 

The  strife  full  soon  were  ended; 
But  for  us  lights  the  Champion  true, 
By  God  himself  commended. 
And  dost  thou  ask  his  name  ? 
Tis  Jesus  Christ !     The  same 
Whom  Lord  of  hosts  we  call, 
God  Bless 'd  over  all — 
He'll  hold  the  field  triumphant. 

Tho'  Satan's  hosts  the  earth  should  fill, 

All  watching  to  devour  us, 

We  tremble  not,  we  fear  no  ill, 

They  cannot  overpower  us. 

This  world's  false  prince  may  still 
Scowl  fiercely  as  he  will, 
His  threat'nings  are  but  vain, 
We  shall  unharmed  remain; 
A  word  shall  overthrow  him. 

God's  word  unshaken  shall  remain, 

Whatever  foes  invade  us; 
Christ  standeth  on  the  battle-plain, 
With  his  own  strength  to  aid  us. 

What  tho'  they  take  our  life, 

Our  goods,  fame,  children,  wife  ? 

E'en  when  their  worst  is  done 

They  have  but  little  won, — 

The  kingdom  ours  abideth. 


80  '-EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

XXX. 

H.  HARBOUGH. 
1863. 

SOD  is  our  tower  of  strength  and  grace, 
With  shield  and  sword  He  arms  us; 
He  gives  us  help  in  every  place, 
No  present  danger  harms  us. 
The  old  fearful  foe, 
Would  fain  bring  us  low; 
His  malice  and  mail, 
Make  firmest  courage  quail, 
On  earth  there  is  none  fiercer.     • 

By  our  own  power  we  fail  to  stand, 

But  from  the  field  are  driven; 
Yet  for  us  wars  the  proper  Man, 
Whom  God  in  love  hath  given. 
He,  the  Holy  One, 
Jesus  Christ  the  Son! 
God  of  hosts  is  He, 
Which  was,  is,  and  to  be — 
He  wins  for  us  the  battle. 

Did  swarmiDg  devils  fill  the  world, 

All  bent  on  our  destruction; 
We  could  not  from  our  faitn  be  hurled, 
Nor  drawn  by  their  seduction. 
This  world's  prince  may  stand 
With  grim  terror  grand; 
We  fear  not  his  rod, 
For  he  is  judged  of-  God — 
A  word  can  overwhelm  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  81 

God's  Word  shall  stand  for  all  their  rage: 

No  thanks  to  them,  nor  merit; 
God  acts  with  us  upon  this  stage 
By  His  own  grace  and  Spirit. 
Though  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
All  shall  freely  go — 
We  seek  no  gain  below: 
God's  kingdom  stands  forever. 


a 


XXXI. 

B.  H.  KENNEDY. 
1863. 

tower  of  strength  our  God  doth  stand, 

A  buckler  to  defend  us; 
In  all  the  woes  of  life  His  hand 
True  help  is  nigh  to  lend  us. 

Our  foe  prepares  him  for  the  fight, 
With  cunning  armed  and  hellish  might; 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

With  force  of  arms  we  nothing  can, 

Pull  soon  were  we  o'erridden; 
But  for  us  fights  the  goodly  Man 
Whom  God  himself  hath  bidden. 

Ask  ye  his  name  ?  'Tis  Christ  our  Lord, 
The  God  of  hosts  alone  adored, 
Our  Champion:  none  may  brave  Him. 


82  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Should  hell's  battalions  round  us  press, 

All  banded  to  devour  us, 
Yet  this  should  work  us  good  success, 
Nor  fear  e'en  then  o'erpower  us: 
Though  this  world's  prince  look  fierce 

and  bold. 
It  matters  not,  his  doom  is  told, 
A  single  breath  can  foil  him. 

Our  foes  must  let  the  Word  stand  sure; 

No  thanks  for  this  are  owing: 
God's  Spirit  makes  our  way  secure, 
His  light  and  strength  bestowing. 
Those  foes  may  ravish  earthly  bliss; 
Let  be.  no  gain  they  reap  from  this: 
God's  kingdom  still  is  left  us. 


XXXII. 
EDW.  V.  KENEALY. 

1864. 

HE  Lord  is  our  good  Tower  of  strength, 

Our  Shield  and  Sword  of  Terror 
And  He  will  free  our  souls  at  length 
Prom  evil,  and  crime,  and  terror; 
The  old  accursed  Fiend 
With  might  and  knavery  screened, 
Hell's  armor  dark  and  strong, 
Hath  risen  to  work  us  wrong; 
On  earth  he  hath  no  rival. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  83 

With  arms  of  flesh  we  nought  avail, 
Our  ranks  were  soon  disbanded, 
But  the  right  Man  doth  Hell  assail, 
As  Gori  himself  commanded. 
Ask  ye,  Who  can  he  be  ? 
Jesus  the  Christ  is  he — 
God  of  Sabaoth's  son, 
By  him  the  fight  is  won; 
He  on  our  side  shall  battle. 

And  though  the  world  with  devils  were  thick, 

Watchful  and  soul-devouring. 
Ne'er  shall  our  hearts  grow  faint  or  sick, 
O'er  all  their  wiles  still  towering, 
The  Fiend  as  pleaseth  him 
May  angry  look  and  grin, 
Our  souls  he  cannot  slay, 
His  power  hath  passed  away; 
One  little  word  shall  smite  him. 

That  Word,  in  spite  of  fraud  or  force, 

Shall  stand  alone,  immortal, 
Still  ampling  in  its  heavenly  course 
Hell  and  its  gloomy  portal. 

Slaughtered — disgraced — reviled, 
Reft  of  goods,  wife  and  child, 
So  be  it — let  them  go, 
Small  is  the  loss  I  trow — 
God's  mansion  is  eternal. 


<a 


84  "EINFESTE  BURG." 

XXXIII. 

JOS.  A.  SEISS. 

1865. 

mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 

A  shield  and  sword  unfailing; 
He  freely  helps  through  all  the  flood 
Of  trouble  now  assailing. 
The  old  foe,  unspent, 
On  what  wrath  intent  I 
Dreadful  craft  and  power 
He  wieldeth  at  this  hour; 
Earth  nowhere  has  his  equal, 

Did  we  in  our  own  strength  confide, 
Nought  'gainst  him  were  effected. 
But  the  true  Champion's  on  our  side, 
By  God  himself  elected. 
Asketh  thou  His  Name  ? 
Jesus  Christ's  the  same; 
Of  all  hosts  the  Lord, 
Nor  less  than  God  adored. 
Sure  He  the  field  secureth. 

And  should  the  world  with  devil's  teem, 

To  glut  their  fury  on  us; 
Nor  hopeless  yet  our  cause  we'd  deem, 
The  victory  still  must  crown  us. 
Let  the  lord  of  hell, 
Scowl  with  malice  fell; 
Us  no  ill  is  wrought; 
For  now  to  judgment  brought, 
One  word  can  overwhelm  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS. 

The  truth  shall  stand,  nor  ever  yield; 

Nor  thanks  to  enemies  for  it; 
Tis  Christ  upholds  us  on  his  field, 
With  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Freedom  they  may  take; 
Earthly  joys  unmake; 
But  when  all  is  done, 
They  still  have  nothing  won, 
Whilst  for  us  waits  the  kingdom. 


<a 


xxxiv. 

JOS.  A.  SEISS. 
1867. 
mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 

A  sure  defence  and  weapon; 
He  helps  us  free  from  every  need 
Which  hath  us  now  o'er  taken. 
The  old  deadly  foe, 
Plots  us  fatal  woe; 
Strong  in  wiles  and  might, 
He's  armed  for  dreadful  fight; 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

The  most  that  strength  of  ours^can  do, 

From  hell  could  ne'er  deliver; 
But  for  us  fights  the  Hero  true, 
God's  own  elect  for  ever. 
Ask'st  thou  who  it  be  ? 
Jesus  Christ  is  He; 
Hosts  obey  His  rod, 
And  there's  none  other  God. 
Sure  He  must  be  the  Victor. 


86  "EIN  PESTE  BURG." 

And  should  hell's  legions  fill  the  world, 

And  like  beasts  assail  us; 
Afar  shall  every  fear  be  hurled, 
The  triumph  cannot  fail  us. 
This  world's  chieftain  may 
Frown  in  dread  array, 
Us  no  ill  is  done, 
He's  judged,  the  victory's  won, 
The  smallest  word  can  stay  him. 

God's  Word  shall    stand,  this    they    must 
yield, 
Nor  thanks  therefor  shall  merit; 
'Tis  Christ  upholds  us  on  the  field 
With  His  good  gifts  and  spirit. 
Take  they  freedom,  life, 
Goods,  lame,  child  and  wife, 
Come  the  loss,  the  pain  ! 
It  brings  to  them  no  gain, 
Whilst  we  still  have  the  kinsrdom. 


© 


XXXV. 

N.  L.  FROTHINGHAM. 
1867. 
UK  God,  he  is  a  fortress-tower 

And  armor  to  defend  us; 
In  all  the  press  of  hostile  power 
Deliverance  He  will  send  us. 
The  old  and  wily  foe 
Is  bent  to  work  us  woe; 
With  might  and  many  wiles 
.  He  smites  and  he  beguiles; 
On  earth  there's  not  his  fellow. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  87 

With  our  own  strength  we  nothing  can, 

We  soon  sink  down  dejected; 
There  battles  for  us  the  right  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Ask  who  this  can  be  ? 
Jesus  Christ  is  he; 
Lord  Sabaoth  his  name, 
Which  God  alone  can  claim; 
He  holds  the  field  forever. 

Though  earth  all  full  of  devils  were, 

All  ramping  to  devour  us, 
We  would  not  fear  for  their  mad  stir  : 
They  could  not  overpower  us. 
The  prince  of  this  wTorld, 
Grimmest  signs  unfurled, 
No  harm  now  us  can  do; 
He's  judged,  with  all  his  crew  : 
One  little  word  can  fell  him. 

No  thanks  to  them  who  do  their  worst, 

The  Word  can  ne'er  go  under; 
Christ  comes  against  their  spite  accurst, 
With  gift  and  sign  and  wonder. 
Strip  they  may  of  life, 
Goods,  name,  child,  and  wife; 
Let  them  plot  and  scrain  !  ' 
They  can  achieve  no  gain; 
God's  kingdom  must  staad  for  us. 


a 


88  "E1N  FESTE  BURG." 

XXXVI. 

C.P.  KRAUTH. 

1867. 

fast-set  bulwark  is  our  God, 

A  goodly  ward  and  weapon; 
'He  helps  us  free  out  of  all  need 
That  hath  us  now  o'ertaken. 
The  old  foeman  still, 
Works  with  earnest  will, 
Great  might  and  strong  lure, 
Is  his  dread  armature, 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

With  might  of  ours  we  naught  can  do 

Soon  were  our  loss  effected; 
He  fights  for  us,  the  Hero  true, 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Ask  ye,  Who  is  this  ? 
Jesus  Christ  it  is, 
Of  Sabaoth  Lord, 
And  there's  none  other  God, 
The  field  must  he  hold  ever. 

And  though  the  devils  earth  should  fill, 

All  eager  to  devour  us, 
Yet  fear  we  not  so  much  their  ill, 
They  cannot  overpow'r  us. 
This  world's  ruler  yet 
Fierce,  himself  may  set, 
He  can  harm  us  none; 
He's  judged,  the  deed  is  done, 
One  little  word  o'erthrows  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  89 

The  Word  they  still  shall  let  remain, 

And  not  a  thank  have  for  it, 
He's  by  our  side  upon  the  plain, 
With  gifts  and  with  his  Spirit. 
Take  they  then  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child,  and  wife; 
Let  all  these  be  gone, 
They  yet  have  noihing  won, 
The  kingdom  ours  remaineth. 


a 


XXXVII. 
A.  T.  GEISSENHAINER. 
1867. 

mighty  Fortress  is  our  God, 

A  sure  defence  and  weapon; 
He  help?  us  out  of  every  need 
Which  hath  us  now  o'er  taken. 
The  old  deadly  foe 
Plots  our  ruin  now, 
Deep  wiles  and  great  might 
Arm  him  for  dreadful  fight; 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

With  strength  of  ours  we  nought  can  do, 

Pull  soon  we  all  should  perish; 
But  for  us 'fights  the  Hero  true, 
Whom  God  did  choose  and  cherish. 
Do  you  ask  his  name  ? 
Jesus  Christ,  the  same 
WTio  is  Lord  of  hosts, 
No  other  God  we  boast, 
He  holds  the  field  forever. 


90  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled, 

And  should  they  all  assail  us, 
To  tremb'ling  fear  we  will  not  yield, 
The  victory  cannot  fail  us. 
This  world's  Prince,  though  he 
Frown  so  fearfully, 
Cannot  harm  us  aught, 
Because  to  judgment  brought, 
The  smallest  word  can  fell  him. 

God's  Word  they  surely  shall  let  stand, 

And  no  thanks  to  them  for  it, 
He  helps  us  with  his  mighty  hand, 
And  with  his  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Though  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
Let  all  these  things  go, 
They  have  no  gain  to  show, 
Still  we  possess  the  kingdom. 


€1 


XXXVI!  L 
H.ALFORD. 
1867. 
tower  of  strength  is  God  our  Lord, 
A  sure  defence  and  trusty  guard 
His  help  as  yet  in  every  need 
From  danger  hath  our  spirit  freed: 
Our  ancient  foe  in  rage 

May  all  his  spite  display 
May  ever  against  us  wage, 

And  arm  him  for  the  fray, 
He  that  can  keep  all  earth  at  bay. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  91 

Weak  is  our  unassisted  power, 
Defeated  soou  in  peril's  hour: 
But  on  our  side,  and  for  the  right, 
The  man  of  God's  own  choice  doth  fight; 
Jesus,  the  Christ,  whose  Name 

Exalted  is  on  high, 
The  Lord  of  Hosts,  the  same 

That  reigneth  in  the  sky, 
He  giveth  us  the  victory. 


<D 


XXXIX. 
GEO.  MAC  DONALD. 
1867. 
UR  God  he  is  a  castle  strong, 

A  Good  mail — coat  and  weapon; 
He  set  us  free  from  every  wrong 
That  wickedness  would  heap  on. 
The  ancient  wicked  foe 
He  means  earnest  now; 
Force  and  cunning  sly 
His  horrid  policy; — 
On  earth  there's  nothing  like  him. 

'Tis  all  in  vain,  do  what  we  can, 
Our  strength  is  soon  dejected. 
But  he  fights  for  us,  the  right  Man, 
By  God  himself  elected. 
Ask'st  thou  who  is  this  ? 
Jesus  Christ  it  is, 
Lord  of  Hosts  alone; 
And  God  but  him  is  none, 
So  he  must  win  the  battle. 


92  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

And  did  the  world  with  devils  swarm, 

All  gaping  to  devour  us. 
We  fear  not  so  the  smallest  harm, 
Success  is  yet  before  us. 
This  world's  ruler  curst, 
Let  him  rage  his  worst, 
Hurtless  roams  about; 
His  doom  it  is  gone  out, 
A  word  can  overthrow  him. 

The  word  they  shall  allow  to  stand, 

Nor  any  thanks  have  for  it; 
His  spirit  is  at  our  right  hand, 
To  front  the  tyrant  horrid. 
Let  them  take  our  life, 
Wealth,  name,  child,  and  wife— 
Everything  may  go. 
They  are  no  better  so; 
To  us  the  crown  remaineth. 


8 


XL. 
JOHN  KERR 
1868. 
OD  is  our  Refuge  and  our  Rock, 

A  strength  and  shield  unfailing  : 
He  guards  «s  safe  from  ev'ry  shock 
Of  men  or  fiends  assailing. 
Our  crafty,  spiteful  foe 
Thrusts  many  a  deadly  blow, 
Deep  skill  and  great  might 
Equip  him  for  the  light; 
On  earth  he  stands  unequalled. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  93 

No  strength  of  ours  can  help  provide, 

Our  ranks  are  backward  driven  : 
The  right  Man  combats  on  our  side, 
Whom  God  to  us  hath  given  ! 
If  thou  would 'st  know  His  name, 
Christ  Jesus,  we  proclaim; 
By  heavenly  hosts  adored, 
The  only  God  and  Lord — 
The  field  He  keeps  forever. 

Were  earth  with  devils  thick  arrayed, 

And  gaping  to  devour  us, 
We  feel  withal,  not  sore  afraid, 
They  cannot  overpower  us  : 
The  prince  of  hosts  of  hell, 
With  purpose  fierce  and  fell, 
Against  us  hath  no  power, 
God's  doom  hath  fixed  his  hour 
A  little  word  can  quell  him. 

God's  word  wTe  shall  not,  cannot  yield, 

No  truce  to  foes  we  offer; 
God  is  beside  us  on  the  field, 
With  gifts  and  grace  in  proffer  : 
Take  if  they  will,  our  life, 
Name,  substance,  child,  and  wife, 
We  let  them  boast  their  gain; 
The  best  we  still  retain — 
God's  kingdom  is  our  portion. 


a 


94  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

XLL 

THOS.  C.  PORTER. 

1868. 

safe  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 
A  trusty  shield  and  weapon; 
»He  helps  us  free  from  all  the  ill 
That  us  hath  overtaken; 
Our  old  mortal  Foe 
Now  aims  his  fell  blow, 
Great  might  and  deep  guile 
His  dreadful  coat-of-mail — 
On  earth  there's  no  one  like  him. 

By  our  own  strength  can  naught  be  done; 

Pull  soon  the  strife  were  ended; 
But  for  us  fights  the  valiant  One 
Whom  God  himself  commended. 
Ask  ye,  "Who  is  this?" 
Jesus  Christ !  He  is 
Lord  of  Sabaoth; 
True  God  and  Saviour  both, 
And  must  in  battle  conquer. 

If  devils  all  the  world  should  fill, 

Each  watching  to  devour  us, 
Our  steadfast  heart  will  fear  no  ill, 
Lest  they  should  overpower  us, 
The  grim  Prince  of  Hell 
With  fierce  rage  may  swell 
Nor  harm  us  one  whit, 
Because  his  doom  is  writ: 
A  little  word  can  slay  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  95 

The  Word  forever  shall  abide 
In  spite  of  all  their  striving; 
He  standeth  ever  at  our  side. 
His  grace  and  Spirit  giving. 
Let  them  take  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife. 
Though  all  this  be  done, 
Yet  they  have  nothing  won — 
Our  kingdom  still  remaineth. 


Q 


XLIL 
R.  C.  SINGLETON. 

1868.. 

UR  God  stands  firm,  a  rock  and  tow'r, 

A  shield  when  danger  presses; 
A  ready  help  in  every  hour, 
When  doubt  or  pain  distresses  ! 
For  our  malignant  Foe 
Unswerving  aims  his  blow; 
His  feariul  arms  the  while, 
Dark  pow'r  and  darker  guile: 
His  hidden  craft  is  matchless. 

Our  strength  is  weakness  in  the  fight; 

Our  courage  soon  defection: 
But  comes  a  Warrior,  clad  in  might, 
A  Prince  of  God's  election  ! 
Who  is  this  wondrous  Chief, 
That  brings  this  glad  relief  ? 
The  field  of  battle  boasts 
Christ  J^sus  Lord  of  Hosts, 
Still  conq'ring  and  to  conquer  ! 


96  "EIN  FESTE  BURG. 

XLIIL 


<a 


JOHN  GUTHRIE. 
1869. 

mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 

A  panoply  unfailing, 
'Gainst  ills  that  tumult  like  a  flood, 
Us  to  this  hour  assailing. 
The  old  malignant  foe 
Plots  our  overthrow 
Dreadful  craft  and  power 
Begird  him  hour  by  hour — 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal 

Nought  can  by  our  own  might  be  done, 

Soon  must  we  sink  dejected  ; 
There  fights  for  us  the  trusty  One 
By  God  himself  selected 
Ask  ye  of  His  fame  ? 
Jesus  is  His  Name 
Lord  of  Hosts  alone, 
And  other  God  there's  none 
The  field  He  yieldeth  never. 

Though  earth  with  devils  swarming  were, 

All  ravening  to  devour  us, 
Even  then  our  faith  shall  quell  our  fear 
And  nought  shall  overpower  us. 
By  thine  arrows  hurled 
Prince  of  this  dark  world; 
Canst  thou  work  our  woe 
Thou  doomed  and  conquered  foe  ? 


A  little  word  can  crush  thee. 


as 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  97 

They  spare  the  word  they  dare  not  face. 

No  thanks  to  them  we  render; 
Christ  vCith'His  Spirit  and  His  grace 
Stands  by  as  our  defender. 
Let  them  take  our  livse, 
Substance,  children,  wives, 
When  they've  borne  the  spoil, 
Nought  gain  they  for  their  toil: 
The  kingdom  still  remaiaeth. 

XL1V. 
C.  WINKWORTH. 
1869. 
sure  stronghold  our  God  is  He, 
A  trusty  shield  and  weapon; 
ur  help  He'll  be,  and  set  us  free, 
Whatever  ill  may  happen. 
That  old  malicious  foe 
Intends  us  deadly  woe; 
Armed  with  the  strength  of  hell, 
And  deepest  craft  as  well, 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

Through  our  own  force  we  nothing  can, 

Straight  were  we  lost  forever; 
But  for  us  fights  the  proper  Man, 
By  God  sent  to  deliver. 
Ask  ye  who  this  may  be  ? 
Christ  Jesus  named  is  He, 
Of  Sabaoth  the  Lord, 
Sole  God  to  be  adored; 
'Tis  He  must  win  the  battle. 


98  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled, 

All  eager  to  devour  us, 
Our  souls  to  fear  should  little  yield, 
They  cannot  overpower  us. 
Their  dreaded  prince  no  more 
Can  harm  us  as  of  yore; 
Look  grim  as  e'er  he  may, 
Doomed  is  his  ancient  sway; 
A  word  can  overthrow  him. 

Still  shall  they  leave  that  Word  its  might, 

And  yet  no  thanks  "shall  merit; 
Still  is  He  with  us  in  the  fight 
By  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
E'en  should  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  children,  wife, 
Though  all  of  these  were  gone, 
Yet  nothing  have  they  won. — 
God's  kingdom  ours  abideth. 


£ 


XLV. 
.    Wm.  SUGDEN, 
1869. 
HE  Lcrd  our  God  is  a  strong  tower 
A  bulwark  that  avaiieth; 
A  present  help  in  danger's  hour, 
When  trouble  as  assaileth. 
Our  old  malignant  foe 
Fain  would  us  overthrow; 
With  cuninng  and  great  might 
Arm'd  dreadful  for  the  fight, 
On  earth  none  like  him  dwell eth. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  99 

Nought  can  we  do  by  our  own  might; 

Our  fall  with  ease  effected; 
For  us  that  Righteous  One  doth  light, 
Whom  God  Himself  elected; 
Who  asks  our  Saviour's  name  ? 
Jesus  we  proclaim: 
Lord  of  Sabaoth,  we 
Own  Him  alone  to  be; 
In  need  by  Him  protected. 

Though  fill'd  with  fiends,  the  world  appear 

Our  ruin  who  endeavour, 
Yet  will  we  not  give  place  to  fear, 
For  we  shall  triumph  ever: 
Though  fierce  among  our  foes, 
This  world's  prince  oppose, 
Us  can  he  not  devour; 
One  word  can  quell  his  power, 
And  he  shall  harm  us  never. 

The  word  of  God  shall  never  yield; 

It  all  hell's  might  disdaineth; 
God  fights  on  our  side  in  the  field; 
His  Spirit  in  us  reigneth; 

What  though  men  take  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child,  or  wife  ! 
We  freely  let  them  go; 
They  can  no  victory  show; 
A  crown  for  us  remaineth. 


<a 


100  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

XL  VI. 
ANON. 

1872. 
mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 
A  trusty  shield  and  weapon;. 
►He  helps  us  free  fr^m  every  need 
That  hath  us  now  o'ertaken. 
The  old  bitter  foe 
Means  us  deadly  woe: 
Deep  guile  and  great  might 
Are  his  dread  arms  in  fight; 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

With  might  of  ours  can  naught  be  done, 

Soon  were  our  loss  effected; 
But  for  us  fights  the  Valiant  One 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Ask  ye,  who  is  this  ? 
Jesus  Christ  it  is, 
Of  Sabaoth  Lord, 
And  there's  none  other  God, 
He  holds  the  field  forever 

Though  devils  all  the  world  should  fill, 

All  watching  to  devour  us, 
We  tremble  not,  we  fear  no  ill, 
They  cannot  overpower  us. 
This  world's  prince  may  still 
Scowl  fierce  as  he  will, 
He  can  harm  us  none, 
He's  judged,  the  deed  is  done, 
One  little  word  o'erthrows  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  101 

The  Word  they  still  shall  let  remain, 

And  not  a  thank  have  for  it; 
He's  by  our  side  upon  the  plain, 
With  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Take  they  then  our  life, 
Goods;  fame,  child,  and  wife; 
When  their  worst  is  done, 
They  yet  have  nothing  won, 
The  kingdom  ours  remaineth. 


Q 


XLVIL 

H.  W.  LONGFELLOW. 

1872. 

UR  God,  a  Tower  of  strength  is  He, 

A  goodly  wall  and  weapon; 
From  ah  our  need  H^  helps  us  free, 
That  now  to  us  doth  happen. 
The  old  evil  foe 
Doth  in  earnest  grow, 
In  grim  armor  d  light, 
Much  guile  and  great  might; 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 
Of  our  own  might  we  nothing  can; 

We  soon  are  unprotected; 
There  fighteth  for  us  the  right  Man, 
Whom  God  Himself  elected. 
Who  is  he;  ye  exclaim  ? 
Christus  is  His  name, 
Lord  of  Sabaoth, 
Very  God  in  troth; 
The  field  he  holds  forever. 


102  «*EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

This  world  may  full  of  devils  be, 

All  ready  to  devour  us; 
Yet  not  so  sore  afraid  are  we, 
They  shall  not  overpow'r  us. 
This  world's  prince,  howe'er 
Fierce  he  may  appear, 
He  can  harm  us  not, 
He  is  doomed,  God  wot ! 
One  little  word  can  slay  him  ! 

The  Word  they  shall  perforce  let  stand, 

And  little  thanks  they  merit ! 
For  He  is  with  us  in  the  land, 
With  gifts  of  His  own  Spirit ! 
Though  they  take  our  life 
Goods,  honors,  child  and  wife, 
Let  these  pass  away, 
Little  gain  have  they 
The  Kingdom  still  remaineth  ! 


8 


XL  VI II, 
Wm.    REID. 
1872.       . 
OD  is  our  fortress,  firm  and  sure, 

A  strong  defence  and  weapon; 
With  His  good  help  we  are  secure, 
Whatever  ills  may  happen. 
•  The  old  and  wicked  foe 
Hath  risen  in  earnest  now, 
Great  might  and  cunning  are 
His  armour  for  the  war — 
On  earth  there's  none  to  match  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  103 

No  strength  of  ours  his  power  may  brave; 

To  try  it  is  perdition; 
But  we  a  right  good  Leader  have 
Who  holds  from  God  commission. 
Ask  ye  who  is  his  name  ? 
Christ  Jesus  is  the  same, 
The  Capatin  of  God's  host 
No  other  Lord  we  boast. 
And  He  is  sure  to  conquer. 

Though  the  wide  world  with  devils  swarm 'd, 

All  ready  to  devour  us, 
We  need  not  be  so  much  alarm'd, 
They  cannot  overpower  us. 
The  prince  of  earth  and  hell, 
Though  he  look  grim  and  fell, 
Can  harm  us  not  a  jot; 
Destruction  is  his  lot, 
God's  weakest  word  may  crush  him. 

The  word  shall  stand  in  their  despite 

And  bid  its  foes  defiance, 
We  look  to  God,  and  on  His  might 
And  Spirit  place  reliance. 

Though  they  may  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  child  and  wife, 
Why,  ever  let  them  go, 
Small  gain  have  they  to  show, 
But  our's  is  still  the  kingdom. 


<a 


104  "ElN  FESTE  BURG." 

XLIX. 
ANON. 

1872. 

tower  of  strength  our  God  is  still, 

A  shield  arid  armor  round  us; 
He'll  help  us  free  from  every  ill 
That  threatens  to  confound  us. 
The  old  arch  fiend,  I  trow, 
Is  in  good  earnest  now, 
Arm 'd' with  exceeding  might, 
With  craft  and  cruel  spite; 
On  earth  he  has  no  equal. 

Stood  we  alone,  in  our  own  might, 

We  should  be  sure  of  losing; 
But  the  right  Man  for  us  doth  fight, 
The  man  of  God's  own  choosing. 
Who  may  this  champion  be  ? 
Christ  Jesus  call'd  is  He, 
Of  warrior  hosts  the  Lord, 
Sole  God  to  be  ador'd; 
He  cannot  fail  to  conquer. 

Although  the  world  with  devils  swarm'd, 

All  with  a  mind  to  rend  us, 
Not  therefore  would  we  be  alarm 'd, 
For  victory  must  attend  us. 

The  prince  of  this  world's  wrath 
No  power  to  hurt  us  hath, 
Although  he  look  so  grim; 
For  Christ  hath  sentenced  him. 
A  single  word  can  rush  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  105 

Still  must  they  let  His  word  remain, 

For  which  no  thanks  they  merit, 
For  God  is  near  us  to  sustain 
By  this  good  gift  and  Spirit. 
What  though  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  children,  wife  ? 
We  freely  let  them  go; 
They  profit  not  the  foe: 
The  kingdom  ours  remainetn. 


a 


L. 

S.  W.  DUFFIELD. 

1873. 

firm  defence  our  God  is  still 

A  trusty  guard  and  weapon; 
He  bears  us  free  from  every  ill 
Which  unto  us  can  happen, 
That  old  devilish  foe 
Strives  us  to  overthrow; 
Great  might  and  cunning  art 
Arm  him  in  every  part. 
On  earth  no  oue  can  match  him. 

By  our  own  might  is  nothing  done, 

We  are  too  soon  forsaken; 
Yet  fights  for  us  fiat  Righteous  one, 
Whom  God  Himself  has  taken. 
Who  is  this,  do  you  say  ? 
Christ  is  His  name  alway, 
The  Lord  of  Sabaoth; 
No  other  God  is  sooth 
Than  He  shall  win  the  battle. 


106  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled 

All  waiting  to  devour  us, 
We  fear  not  what  the  fiend  was  willed, 
He  shall  not  overpower  us; 
This  prince  of  wickedness 
May  scowl  no  whit  the  less; 
But  he  can  injure  none, 
His  might  is  overthrown; 
One  little  word  defeats  him. 

And  they  shall  let  that  Word  abide — 

No  thanks  to  them  for  favor; 
He  stands  forever  on  our  side, 
With  strength  and  saintly  savor. 
Let  them  deny  us  life, 
Goods,  honor,  child,  and  wife 
Let  them  take  all  away, 
They  have  not  won  the  day; 
God's  kingdom  shall  not  perish. 


a 


LI. 

ED.  THRING 
1874. 
fortress  strong  is  God  our  God, 
A  sword  and  shield  around  us, 
His  help  us  frees  from  all  our  woe, 
What  ill  soe'er  has  found  us; 
The  old  arch-traitor  still, 
Bent  to  work  his  will. 
Might  and  craft  hath  girt. 
Dread  armour  to  our  hurt; 
There's  none  on  earth  can  match  him. 


I 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  107 

Our  might  is  naught,  we  naught  have  done, 

All  lost,  of  strength  forsaken, 
For  us  God's  own  incarnate  Son, 
True  man,  the  field  hath  taken. 
And  dost  thou  ask  who  come  ? 
Christ  Jesus  His  name; 
Lord  of  Hosts,  yea  see, 
None  else  is  God  but  He, 
He  holds  the  field  for  ever. 

Though  full  of  devils  were  the  world, 

Hell  ready  us  to  swallaw, 
We  will  not  be  so  sore  afraid, 
For  sure,  good  end  will  follow; 

And  though  this  world's  prince  set 
Himself  grimly,  yet 
Naught  he  can  do  now, 
For  he  is  judged,  I  trow, 
One  little  word  can  quell  him. 

The  word  of  God  they  must  let  stand 

Perforce,  'tis  not  their  merit, 
Lo,  He  is  ever  at  our  hand, 
With  all  His  gifts  and  spirit. 

What,  and  though  they  take  life, 
Honour,  wealth,  child,  wife, 
Let  go,  let  them  go  ! 
No  triumph  do  they  know; 
For  us  stands  fast  the  kingdom. 


108  "EIN  FESTE  BURG. 

ill 

* 

J.  SWARTZ. 


a 


1879. 

mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 

A  sure  defense  and  weapon; 
He  helps  us  freely  from  the  need 
Which  hath  us  now  o'er  taken. 
The  old,  angry  foe 
With  wrath  doth  now  glow; 
Great  might  and  deep  art 
Their  fearful  force  impart — 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

In  our  own  strength  can  naught  be  done; 

Our  loss  were  soon  effected; 
There  strives  for  us  the  proper  One 
By  God  himself  selected. 
Ask  you  who  frees  us  ? 
It  is  Christ  Jesus. 
The  Lord  Sabaoth; 
And  there's  none  other  God — 
He'll  hold  the  field  of  battle. 

And  were  the  world  witn  devils  filled, 

And  would  they  quite  devour  us; 
We'll  still  succeed;  so  God  hath  willed, 
They  cannot  overpower  us  : 
The  prince  of  this  world 
To  hell  shall  be  hurled; 
He  seeks  to  alarm, 
But  can  do  us  no  harm — 
The  smallest  word  can  fell  him. 


<a 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  109 

The  Word  they  still  must  let  remain 

And  for  that  have  no  merit; 
He's  with  us  well  upon  the  plain, 
With  His  own  gifts  and  Spirit, 
Destroy  they  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife  ? 
Still  their  rage  is  vain, 
They  shall  no  victory  gain; 
For  ours  is  still  the  kingdom. 

LIU. 
J.  SWARTZ 
1879 
mighty  fortress  is  our  God 

A  sure  defense  and  weapon; 
He  freely  helps  us  in  the  need 
Which  hath  us  now  o'ertaken  : 
Our  old  angry  foe 
With  zeal  now  doth  glow; 
Great  might  and  deep  art 
Inflame  his  furious  heart, — 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

In  our  own  strength  can  naught  be  done, — 

Defeat  must  be  expected; 
There  fights  for  us  the  proper  One 
By  God  himself  selected  : 
Ask  you  who  frees  us  ? 
It  is  Christ  Jesus, 
The  Lord  Sabaoth; 
There  is  no  other  God, —  ■ 
He'll  hold  the  field  of  battle. 


1-LO  '"EIN  FESTE  BURG/' 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled. 

Intently  set  to  slay  us; 
It  still  must  be  as  God  hath  willed, 
No  terror  shall  dismay  us  : 
The  Prince  of  this  world 
To  hell  shall  be  hurled; 
He  seeks  to  alarm, 
But  can  inflict  no  harm, — 
The  smallest  text  can  fell  him. 

The   Word,   unchanged,  they    must    leave 
stand 
And  for  that  have  no  merit; 
God  graciously  for  us  hath  planned, 
And  given  us  Ids  Spirit : 
Destroy  they  our  life. 
Honor,  child,  and  wife; 
Still,  their  rage  is  vaiu, 
They  shall  no  victory  gain, 
For  ours  is  still  the  kingdom.  • 


<a 


L1V. 
J.  SWARTZ. 
1879. 

mighty  stronghold  is  our  God, 
A  sure  defense  and  weapon; 
He  helps  us  free  from  every  need 
Which  hath  us  now  o'er  taken. 
The  old  angry  foe 
Now  means  us  deadly  woe; 
Deep  guile  and  great  might 
Are  his  dread  arms  in  fight, 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  Ill 

In  our  own  strength  can  nought  be  done, 

Our  loss  were  soon  affected; 
There  lights  for  us  the  Proper  One, 
By  God  himself  selected. 
Ask  you  who  frees  us  ? 
It  is  Christ  Jesus — 
The  Lord  Sabaoth, 
There  is  no  other  God; 
He'll  hold  the  field  of  battle. 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled, 

And  waiting  to  devour  us ; 
We'll  still  succeed,  so  God  hath  willed, 
They  cannot  overpower  us: 
The  prince  of  this  world 
To  hell  shall  be  hurled; 
He  seeks  to  alarm, 
But  shall  do  us  no  harm — 
The  smallest  word  can  fell  him. 

The  Word  they  still  must  let  remain 

And  for  that  have  no  merit; 
He  is  with  us  upon  the  plain, 
By  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit, 
Destroy  they  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife  ? 
Let  all  pass  amain. 
They  still  no  conquest  gain, 
For  ours  is  still  the  kingdom. 


<D 


112  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

LV. 
ANONYM. 

1879. 

UR  God's  a  fortress  all  secure, 
A  ready  shield  and  arm  is  he; 
From  ev'ry  strait  we  now  endure, 
He  will  not  fail  to  make  us  free. 
The  old  bitter  foe, 
Set  purpose  doth  show; 
Deep  craft  and  might  strong 
To  his  dread  mail  belong; 
His  like  there's  none  on  all  the  earth. 

Of  our  own  strength  there's  nothing  done, 

Our  fall  were  soon  affected; 
The  right  man  battles  for  us,  One 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Dos't  ask— "who  sufficed?" 
He's  named  Jesus  Christ; 
Lord  Sabaoth — One 
Than  whom,  God  else  there's  none, 
Then  surely  he  must  hold  the  field. 

And  if  the  world  with  devils  filled, 

Our  ruin  were  contriving; 
To  anxious  fear  we  will  not  yield; 
Success  must  crown  our  striving. 
This  world's  prince  shall  still, 
Though  threat  as  he  will, 
Not  harm  us — because, 
Condemned  of  old  he  was; 
A  mere  word  cau  secure  his  fall. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  113 

Our  foes  must  let  the  Word  remain: 

Nor  thanks  receive,  nor  merit; 
There's  with  us  on  the  battle  plain, 
He,  with  his  gifts  and  Spirit. 
And  take  they  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
We  yield  them — e'en  then, 
The  foe  shall  take  no  gain; 
For  ours  the  kingdom  still  remains. 


<a 


LVI. 

ANON. 

1880. 

Tower  of  strength  our  God  is  still ! 

A  mighty  shield  and  weapon; 
He  is  our  help  from  all  the  ill 
That  hath  us  now  o'er  taken. 
The  old  bitter  foe 
Now  means  deadly  woe: 
Deep  guile  and  great  might 
Are  his  dread  arms  in  fight, 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal, 

With  might  of  ours  here  naught  is  done. 

Our  loss  were  soon  effected: 
But  for  us  fights  the  Valiant  Onet 
Whom  God  Himself  elected. 
Ask  you:  "Who  is  He?" 
Christ  Jesus:  here  see 
Great  Sabaoth's  Lord  ! 
There  is  no  other  God: 
His  is  the  field  forever. 


114  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Though  devils  all  the  world  should  fill, 

All  watching  to  devour  us, 
We  tremble  not,  we  fear  no  ill, 
They  cannot  overpower  us. 
This  world's  prince  may  still 
Scowl  fierce  as  he  will, 
He  can  harm  us  none, 
For  he  is  judged — undone; 
One  little  Word  o'erthrows  him. 

The  Word  of  God  they  shall  let  stand 

And  not  a  thank  have  for  it, 
Here  Christ  Himself  leads  the  command 
With  His  great  gifts  and  Spirit; 
And  take  they  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
When  their  worst  is  done, 
They  yet  have  nothing  won. 
The  kingdom  ours  remaineth. 


<D 


LVIL 
S.  R.  FISHER. 
1880. 
UR  God  is  a  stronghold,  indeed; 
A  powerful  shield  and  weapon. 
He  helps  us  out  of  every  need, 
Which  here  to  us  may  happen. 
The  old  deadly  foe 
Seeks  our  overthrow; 
Much  craft  and  great  might, 
Compose  his  armor  bright: 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  115 

Iii  our  own  might  can  nought  be  done 

Our  rout  its  soon  effected. 
There  tights  for  us  the  proper  One, 
By  God  Himself  elected. 
Ask  ye,  who  this  be  ? 
Jesus  Christ  is  He, 
The  Lord  Sabaoth; 
And  there's  no  other  God? 
The  field  He  e'er  possesses. 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled, 

Who  would  devour  us  wholly  ! 
No  fear  in  us  need  be  instilled; 
We  yet  shall  triumph  fully. 

Though  this  world's  dread  prince 
Fierceness  may  evince; 
Still  he  us  can't  harm; 
His  pow'r  we  shall  disarm; 
A  little  word  can  fell  him. 

The  Word  they  shall  allow  to  stand, 
For  which  no  thanks  they  merit. 
He  with  us  is  on  every  hand 
By  his  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Should  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child,  and  wife  ? 
When  they've  all  obtained, 
They  naught  in  least  have  gained: 
To  us  remains  the  Kingdon. 


a 


116  "EINFESTE  BURG." 

LVIIL 
ANONYM. 

1880. 

safe  stronghold  our  God  is  still, 

A  trasty  shield  and  weapon, 
By  His  right  arm  He  surely  will 
Free  from  all  ills  that  happen. 
For  still  our  ancient  foe 
Doth  seek  to  work  us  woe; 
Strong  mail  of  craft  and  power, 
He  weareth  in  this  hour; 
On  earth  is  not  his  fellow. 

Stood  we  alone  in  our  own  might, 

Our  striving  would  be  losing; 
For  us  the  one  true  Man  doth  fight, 
The  Man  of  God's  own  choosing. 
Who  is  this  choosen  One  ? 
'Tis  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son, 
The  Lord  of  hosts,  'tis  He 
Who  wins  the  victory 
In  every  field  of  battle. 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled, 

And  watching  to  devour  us, 
Our  souls  to  fear  we  need  not  yield, 
They  cannot  overpower  us; 
Their  dreaded  Prmce  no  more 
Can  harm  us  as  of  yore: 
This  rage  we  can  endure: 
For  lo  !  his  doom  is  sure, 
A  word  shall  overthrow  him. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  117 

Still  must  they  leave  God's  word  its  might, 

For  which  no  thanks  they  merit; 
Still  is  He  with  us  in  the  fight, 
With  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Even  should  they,  in  the  strife 
Take  kindred,  goods,  and  life, 
We  freely  let  them  go, 
They  profit  not  the  foe: 
With  us  remains  the  Kingdom. 


<a 


LIX. 

ANONYM. 
1880-83. 
mighty  bulwark  is  our  God, 
Armor  and  arms  unfailing; 
He  helps  us  free  from  every  rod, 
His  people  now  assailing. 
The  old  foeman's  will 
Works  in  earnest  still — 
Great  might,  skill  to  lure, 
In  his  dread  armature — 
■  On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

With  strength  of  ours  we  naught  can  do — 

Soon  would  we  sink  dejected — 
But  for  us  fights  the  Hero  true, 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
Ask  ye,  who  is  this  ? 
Jesus  Christ  it  is, 
Of  Sabaoth  Lord, 
And  He  alone  is  God. 
The  field  is  His  forever. 


118  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

Though  devils  all  the  earth  should  fill, 

Each  waiting  to  devour  us, 
We  tremble  not,  we  fear  qo  ill, 
They  cannot  over  pow'r  us. 
This  world's  prince  may  still 
Rage  fierce  as  he  will; 
His  threats  are  but  vain, 
We  shall  unharmed  remain — 
One  little  word  o'erthrows  him. 

The  Word  unshaken  shall  remain, 

Whatever  foes  invade  us, 
Christ  takes  with  us  the  battle-plain, 
With  gifts  and  grace  to  aid  us. 
Let  them  take  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child,  and  wife, 
Let  all  things  be  gone — 
Yet  have  they  nothing  won: 
The  kingdom  ours  abideth. 

LX. 

J.  W.  BRIGHT. 
1880-33. 
OWER  of  defense  is  our  God. 
In  our  warfare  the  weapon; 
Us  free  declares  the  august  Word, 
When  present  dangers  threaten. 
The  father  of  lies, 
How  earnest  he  strives  ! 
He  girds  on  his  will, 
Lays  snares  with  deep  skill, — 
Unrivaled  under  Heaven. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  119 

Our  own  strength  ne'er  to  victory  led, 

Our  ruin  is, appointed; 
Th'  avenging  flame  His  hand  doth  spread 
Whom  God  himself  auointed. 
Dost  ask,  who  is  he  ? 
Jesus  Christ  sets  us  free  ! 
Sabaott  we  sing; 
The  one  Eternal  King 
For  us  the  foe  has  conquered. 

The  world  if  fill'd  with  Satan's  host, 

With  death  were  us  assailing; 
Rejoice  we  yet  with  lawful  boast, 
Our  triumph  is  unfailing  ! 
The  prince  of  the  air 
In  wrath  would  us  tear; 
But  vain  is  his  might, 
For  he's  judg'd  aright, 
And  at  a  word  stands  quailing. 

Our  foes  unto  the  Word  must  yield, 

Nor  merit  adulation; 
Us  succors  He  upon  the  field 
With  means  for  our  salvation. 
Do  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  honor,  child,  wife  ! 
Endure  every  pain, 
For  theirs  is  no  gain, 
Ours  is'the  Kingdom's  duration  ! 


120  "EiN  FESTE  BURG.' 

LXL 
G.  THRING. 

1882. 


(§1 


fortress  sure  is  God  our  King, 

A  shield  that  ne'er  shall  fail  us, 
His  sword  alone  shall  succour  bring, 
When  evil  doth  assail  us; 
With  craft  and  cruel  hate 
Doth  Satan  lie  in  wait, 
And,  armed  with  deadly  power, 
Seeks  whom  he  may  devour; 
On  earth  where  is  his  equal  ? 

Oh  !  who  shall  then  our  champion  be, 

Lest  we  be  lost  forever  ? 
One  sent  by  God, — from  sins  'tis  He 
The  sinner  shall  *  deliver; 
And  dost  thou  ask  His  name? 
Tis  Jesus  Christ, —  the  same 
Of  Sabaoth  the  Lord, 
The  everlasting  Word, — 
'Tis  He  must  win  the  battle. 

God's  word  remaineth  ever  sure, 

To  us  no  merit  owing 
The  spirit's  gifts — of  sin  the  cure — 
Each  day  He  is  bestowing; 

Though  nought  we  love  be  left, 
Of  all,  e'en  life,  bereft; 
Yet  what  shall  Satan  gain  ? 


O' 


God's  kino'dom  doth  remain, 


l^ 


And  shall  be  our's  forever. 


<a 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  121 

LX11. 
J.  H.  KURZENKNABE. 

1882. 

mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 
To  shelter  and  defend  us  : 
Our  help  in  need,  his  arm,  his  rod 
Will  evermore  befriend  us. 
The  old  crafty  foe 
Means  us  deathly  woe; 
Deceit  and  great  might 
Are  his  arms  in  fight : 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

In  our  own  strength  can  naught  be  done. 

Our  loss  were  soon  effected  : 
But  for  us  fights  the  valiant  One, 
Whom  God  himself  elected. 
And  who  can  this  be 
But  Christ,  it  is  He, 
The  Lord  Sabaoth; 
There  is  no  other  God, 
The  field  is  his  possession. 

Though  Devils  filled  this  world  below, 

All  waiting  to  devour  us, 
We  tremble  not,  no  fear  we  know, 
They  could  not  overpower  us; 
The  priuce  of  this  world, 
Whose  darts  may  be  hurled, 
Can  never  harm  one; 
He's  judged — his  power  is  gone; 
One  word  can  overcome  him. 


122  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

The  Word  forever  shall  abide, 

Though  foes  dispute  its  merit; 
He's  ever  present  by  our  side, 
With  his  good  gifts  and  Spirit; 
Take  they  even  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child,  and  wife, 
Their  worst  is  then  done, 
Yet  they  have  nothing  won, 
The  Kingdom  ours  remaineth. 


S 


LX1IL 
L.  W.  BACON. 

1883. 
TRONG  tower  and  refuge  is  our  God, 

Right  goodly  shield  and  weapon, 
He  helps  us  free  in  every  need, 
That  hath  us  now  o'er  taken. 
The  old  evil  foe, 
Means  us  deadly  woe; 
Deep  guile  and  great  might 
Are  his  dread  arms  in  fight; 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

With  our  own  might  we  nothing  can, 

Soon  are  we  lost  and  fallen; 
But  for  us  fights  the  righteous  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  hath  callen. 
Ask  ye,  who  is  this  ? 
Jesus  Christ  it  is, 
Our  Sole  King  and  Lord, 
As  God  of  Hosts  adored; 
He  holds    the  field  forever. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  123 

Though  earth  all  full  of  devils  were, 

Wide  roaring  to  devour  us; 
Yet  fear  we  not  such  grievous  fear, 
They  shall  not  overpower  us. 
This  world's  prince  may  still 
Scowl  fierce  as  he  will, 
He  can  harm  us  none. 
He's  judged;  the  deed  is  done; 
One  little  word  can  fell  him. 

His  word  they  still  shall  let  abide, 

And  little  thanks  have  for  it; 
Through  all  the  fight  he's  on  our  side 
With  his  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Take  they  then  our  life, 
Wealth,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
Let  these  all  be  gone. 
No  triumph  have  they  won, 
The  kingdom  ours  remaineth. 


a 


LXIV. 

M.  SHEELEIGH. 
1883. 
moveless  Fastness  is  our  God, 
A  goodly  ward  and  weapon, 
He  frees  us  from  all  ills  abroad 
That  us  have  now  o'er  taken. 
The  old  fierce  enemy, 
How  earnest  is  he  ! 
Great  might  and  deep  guile 
His  dreadful  arms  awhile: 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 


124  "EIN  PESTE  BURG." 

In  strength  of  ours  naught  can  be  done, 
Our  doom  were  soon  effected; 
.    There  strives  for  us  the  fitting  One, 
Whom  God  Himself  elected. 
His  name  now  ask  ye  ? 
Christ  Jesus  is  He, 
The  Lord  Sabaoth, 
Who's  very  God  in  tioth, 
The  field  he  holds  in  triumph. 

And  though  earth  full  of  devils  were, 

And  eager  to  destroy  us, 
Fear  scarce  should  us  the  least  deter, 
To  us  the  end  is  joyous. 
This  world's  prince,  so  drear, 
In  wrath  may  appear, 
No  harm  shall  we  know, 
He's  judged  to  his  o'erthrow; 
One  little  word  can  fell  him. 

The  Word  to  us  they  still  must  yield, 

And  not  a  thank  shall  merit: 
He's  with  us  truly  on  the  field, 
With  gifts  and  by  his  spirit. 
Ev'n  take  they  our  life, 
Goods,  name,  child  and  wife, 
When  all's  torn  away, 
Yet  nothing  gained  have  they; 
The  kinkdon  ours  remaineth. 


<SL 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  125 

LXV. 

J.  TROUTBECK. 

1883. 

stronghold  sure  our  God  remains, 

A  true  defence  and  weapon; 
His  present  help  our  freedom  gains, 
What  ill  soe'er  may  happen, 
Our  old  malignant  foe 
Thinks  to  work  us  woe; 
Armed  with  craft  and  might, 
Unswerving  he  doth  fight; 
On  earth  is  none  to  match  him. 

Our  strength  is  naught,  do  all  we  can, 

Defeat  is  soon  effected ; 
But  tights  for  us  the  proper  Man, 
By  God  Himself  elected. 
Ye  ask  who  this  can  be  ? 
Jesus  Christ  is  He, 
Yea,  of  hosts  the  lord, 
The  God  alone  adored, 
The  champion  none  can  vanquish. 

If  all  the  world  with  fiends  were  filled, 

A  band  that  would  devour  us, 
To  fear  our  hearts  need  little  yield, 
They  could  not  o'erpower  us. 
The  prince  who  rules  this  world 
Prom  his  throne  is  hurled; 
Him,  though  fierce  he  seem, 
We  now  may  harmless  deem; 
A  single  word  can  quell  him. 


126  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

The  Word  shall  still  in  strength  abide, 
Yet  thanks  doth  no  man  merit; 
In  warfare  God  is  at  our  side, 
Both  by  His  gifts  and  Spirit. 
And  should  they  take  our  life, 
Wealth,  name,  child,  and  wife, 
Though  these  all  were  gone, 
Our  foes  have  nothing  won, 
The  realm  of  God  is  left  us. 


Q 


LXVI. 
R.  M.  M'LINTOCK. 
1884. 
UR  God's  a  fastness  sure  indeed, 

A  trusty  shield  and  weapon; 
He  helps  us  free  in  every  need 
That  unto  us  may  happen. 
The  old  wicked  foe 
Now  in  earnest  doth  go, 
Deep  wiles  and  great  might 
In  his  fell  store  unite, — 
The  earth  holds  not  his  fellow. 

By  strength  of  ours  is  nothing  done, 

Full  soon  are  we  dejected  ! 
But  on  our  side's  a  champion 
By  God  himself  elected. 
And  who  may  that  be  ? 
Christ  Jesus  is  he, 
The  Lord  God  of  Hosts  ! 
All  gods  else  are  vain  boasts, 
Our  camp  is  in  his  keeping. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  127 

Though  demons  rage  both  far  and  near, 

And  gape  our  souls  to  swallow; 
Not  all  too  great  shall  be  our  fear; 
Success  our  steps  shall  follow. 
The  prince  of  this  world, 
Though  threats  he  hath  hurled, 
To  us  can  do  nought, 
For  if  to  judgment  brought 
One  word  declares  his  sentence. 

To  let  the  Word -stand  they  are  fain, 

And  small  thereby  their  merit; 
He  dwells  among  us  on  the  plain 
With  gifts  and  with  his  spirit. 
What  though  they  take  life, 
Goods,  name,  child,  and  wife, 
We  need  not  rebel — 
No  profit  those  to  hell. 
While  ours  must  be  the  kingdom. 


a 


LXVIL 
GODFREY  THRING. 
1884. 
Portress  sure  is  God  our  king, 

A  shield  that  ne'er  shall  fail  u^, 
His  sword  alone  shall  succour  bring 
When  evil  doth  assail  us; 
With  craft  and  hate 
Doth  Satan  lie  in  wait, 
And,  armed  with  deadly  power, 
Seeks  whom  he  may  devour; 
On  earth  where  is  his  equal  ? 


128  "EIN-FESTE  BURG." 

Oh  !  who  shall  then  our  champion  be, 

Lest  we  be  lost  forever  ? 
One  sent — by  God, —  for  us  'tis  He 
Who  fights*  and  shall  deliver; 
And  dost  thou  ask  His  name  ? 
Tis  Jesus  Christ,  the  same 
Of  Sabaoth  the  Lord, 
The  Everlasting  word, — 
'Tis  He  must  win  the  battle. 

Though  filled  this  earth  with  demons  be, 

All  eager  to  devour  us, 
Yet  are  our  minds  from  terror  free, 
They  ne'er  shall  overpower  us; 
The  prince  of  this  world  still 
May  scowl  as  e'er  he  will, 
His  rage  we  do  not  heed, 
For  why  ?  his  doom's  decreed; — 
One  little  word  can  fell  him. 

God's  word  they  still  must  let  remain, 

To  them  no  thanks  or  merit, — 
He's  with  us  on  the  battle  plain 
With  his  good  gifts  and  Spirit; 
Though  all  be  lost,  e'en  life, 
Goods,  honour,  child  and  wife, 
Yes  all,  e'en  all,  may  go, 
No  triumph  hath  the  foe, 
For  us  abides  God's  kingdom. 


<a 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  129 

LXVIU. 
ANONYM. 

1885. 

fast,  lirm  fortress  is  our  God, 
A  trusty  shield  and  weapon; 
He  helps  us  free  from  every  need, 
That  hath  us  now  o'er  taken. 
The  old  bitter  foe 
Now  means  deadly  woe, 
Deep  guile  and  great  might 
Are  his  dread  arms  in  fight, 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

With  might  of  ours  we  nothing  can, 

Soon  were  our  fall  effected, 
But  for  us  fights  the  proper  Man, 
Whom  God  Himself  selected. 
Ask  ye,  who  is  this  ? 
Jesus  Christ  it  is, 
Lord  of  Sabaoth, 
And  there's  no  other  God, 
He'll  hold  the  field  forever. 

Though  fill'd  the  world  with  devils  were, 

All  ready  to  devour  us, 
We  tremble  not,  no  ill  we  fear, 
They  can  not  overpower  us, 
This  world's  prince  may  still 
Scowl  fierce  as  he  will, 
He  can  harm  us  naught; 
For  why  ?  He's  judged  of  God, 
One  little  word  o'erthrows  him.  9 


130  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

The  Word  they  still  shall  let  remain, 

Nor  any  thanks  have  for  it. 
The  Lord's  wit  a  us  upon  the  plain 
With  His  good  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Take  they  then  our  life. 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
Let  all  these  be  gone, 
Yet  nothing  have  they  won, 
The  kingdom  ours  abideth. 


a 


LXIX. 

JOS.  A.  SEISS. 
1887. 
mighty  fortress  is  our  God, 

A  trusty  shield  and  weapon; 
He  helps  us  free  through  every  need 
That  hath  us  now  o'ertaken. 
The  old  murd'rous  foe 
Now  means  deadly  woe; 
Much  craft  and  great  pow'r, 
Are  his  dread  arms  for  war: 
On  earth  is  no  one  like  him. 

By  our  own  strength  we  naught  can  do, 

Full  soon  would  come  destruction; 
But  for  us  lights  the  Hero  True, 
Of  God's  own  self's  election. 
Who's  He.  would  ye  wist  ? 
He's  called  Jesus  Christ, 
Lord  of  Sabaoth, 
'  The  only  God  in  truth; 
The  field  He  must  hold  surely. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  131 

And  were  the  world  all  devils  o'er, 

Who'd  fain  devour  and  end  us; 
We're  still  not  so  o'erwhelmed  with    fear, 
The  victory  must  attend  us. 
This  world's  prince  so  fell, 
May  threat' n  as  he  will, 
Still  full  safe  are  we; 
For  judged  and  banned  is  he; 
One  little  text  can  stay  him. 

The  Word  they  shall  let  stand  for  aye, 

No  thanks  be  to  them  for  it; 
Tis  He  upholds  us  'mid  the  fray, 
With  his  good  gift  and  Spirit. 
If  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  name,  child  and  wife, 
Let  all  this  be  done  ! 
They  yet  have  nothing  won; 
And  we  still  have  the  Kingdom. 


€1 


LXX. 
THOS.  I.  ZIMMERMAN. 

1888. 

rock-bound  fortress  is  our  God, 

A  good  defense  and  weapon. 
He  helps  us  out  of  every  need 
That  doth  us  press  or  threaten, 
The  old,  wicked  foe, 
With  zeal  now  doth  glow; 
Much  craft  and  great  might 
Prepare  him  for  the  fight, 
On  earth  there  is  none  like  him. 


132  "EINFESTE  BURG." 

With  our  own    strength    there's    nothing 
done, 
We're  well  nigh  lost,  dejected: 
For  us  doth  fight  the  proper  One, 
Whom  God  Himself  selected. 

Dost  ask  for  his  name  ? 
•    Christ  Jesus — the  same  ! 
The  Lord  of  Sabaoth. 
The  world  no  other  hath; 
This  field  must  He  be  holding. 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled. 

With  which  to  quite  devour  us, 
We  need  not  be  so  sore  afraid, 
Since  they  can  not  o'er  power  us. 
The  prince  of  this  world, 
In  madness  though  whirled, 
Can  harm  you  nor  me; 
Because  adjudged  is  he, 
A  little  word  can  fell  him. 

This  Word  shall  they  now  let  remain, 

No  thanks  therefor  attending; 
He  is  with  us  upon  the  plain, 
His  gifts  and  Spirit  leading. 
Though  th'  body  be  ta'en. 
Goods,  child,  wife,  and  fame; 
Go — life,  wealth  and  kin  ! 
They  yet  can  nothing  win; 
For  us  remaineth  the  kingdom. 


<a 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  133 

LXXI. 
TH.  C.  PORTER. 

*    1888. 

Tower  of  Strength  our  God  is  still, 

A  good  Defense  and  Weapon; 
He  helps  us  free  from  all  the  ill, 
That  us  hath  overtaken. 
Our  old,  mortal  foe 
Now  aims  his  fell  blow; 
Great  might  and  deep  guile 
His  horrid  coat-of-mail; 
On  earth  is  no  one  like  him. 

By  might  of  ours  can  naught  be  done; 

Our  fate  were  soon  decided — 
But  for  us  fights  the  Champion, 
By  God  Himself  provided. 
Who  is  this,  ask  ye  ? 
Jesus  Christ !   'Tis  He  ! 
Lord  of  Saboath, 
True  God  and  Saviour  both. 
Omnipotent  in  battle. 

Did  devils  fill  the  earth  and  air, 

All  eager  to  devour  us, 
Our  steadfast  hearts  need  feel  no  care, 
Lest  they  should  overpower  us. 
The  grim  Prince  of  Hell, 
With  rage  though  he  swell, 
Hurts  us  not  a  whit — 
Because  his  doom  is  writ; 
A  little  word  can  rout  him. 


134  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

The  Word  of  God  will  never  yield 

To  any  creature  living; 
He  stands  with  us  upon  the  field. 
His  grace  and  Spirit  giving. 
Take  they  child  and  wife, 
Goods,  name,  fame  and  life — 
Though  all  this  be  done, 
Yet  have  they  nothing  won; 
This  Kingdom  still  remaineth. 


<a 


LXXIL 

J.  E.  W. 

1888. 

Tower  of  strength  is  still  our  God, 

A  sure  defence  and  weapon; 
He  rescues  us  from  every  ill 
That  here  to  us  can  happen  : 
The  old,  deadly  foe 
Intends  our  overthrow; 
Great  power  with  all  craft 
Direct  his  venomed  shaft, 
On  earth  there's  nothing  like  him. 

With  might  of  man  can  naught  be  done, 

Defeat  were  soon  effected; 
But  for  us  fights  a  chosen  One — 
The  one  whom  God  selected  : 
Who  is  it,  ask  ye  ? 
Christ  Jesus,  'tis  He, 
Of  Sabaoth  Lord, 
Jehovah;  the  Word; 
The  field  He  holdeth  ever. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS,  135 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled, 

Each  seeking  to  devour  us; 
We  need  not  shrink  in  sore  dismay, 
They  cannot  overpower  us  : 
The  prince  of  this  earth 
In  rage  may  go  forth, 
No  harm  comes  to  us; 
He's  judged,  'tis  done  thus, 
One  little  word  confounds  him. 

That  Word  forever  shall  prevail, 
With  no  one's  thank  or  merit; 
He  stands  by  us  upon  the  plain 
With  His  own  gifts  and  Spirit : 
Then  let  them  take  life, 
Wealth,  fame,  child  and  wife — 
Let  these  be  forgone, 
They  yet  naught  have  won; 
Ours,  ours  is  still  the  kingdom. 


(gl 


LXXIIL 
L.  WEAVER. 
1888. 
mighty  stronghold  is  our  God, 
A  good  defence  and  weapon . 
He  helps  us  free  from  every  care 
By  which  we're  overtaken. 
The  old,  wicked  foe 
Now  thirsts  for  our  woe; 
Much  craft  and  great  might 
Form  his  armor  for  fight, 
On  earth  he  has  no  equal. 


136  "E1N  FESTE  BURG." 

With  our  strength  naught  can  be  done, 

And  naught  but  loss  expected  : 
There  fights  for  us  the  Perfect  One, 
Whom  God  Himself  selected. 
Who  is  it,  ask  ye  ? 
Christ  Jesus,  surely, 
The  Lord  of  armies,  He, 
No  other  God  have  we. 
The  field  He'll  keep  forever. 

And  if  the  world  with  devils  swarmed, 

All  eager  to  devour  us, 
We  need  not  be  so  sore  alarmed; 
They  shall  not  overpower  us, 
The  prince  of  this  world 
His  fury  has  hurled, 
Yet  does  us  no  harm; 
For,  omnipotent  charm, 
A  little  word  can  fell  him. 

This  Word  they  shall  not  take  away, 

But  no  thanks,  for  they  fear  it. 
He  is  with  us  within  the  fray 
With  His  own  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Should  they  take  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife; 
Let  all  this  be  done, 
They  have  still  nothing  won  : 
The  kingdom  ours  remaineth. 


a 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  137 

Lxmv. 

ANONYMOI   3. 
1888. 

solid  bulwark  is  our  God, 

A  good  defence* and  weapon; 
He  helps  us  free  from  all  our  need, 
That  us  now  hath  o'er  taken. 
The  old  wicked  foe, 
Earnest  means  it  now. 
Great  might  and  much  craft 
His  dread  equipments  are, 
On  earth  there  is  none  Pike  him. 

With  our  might  is  nothing  done, 

Soon  were  our  loss  effected; 
There  fights  for  us  the  Righteous  One 
Whom  God  'himself  elected. 
Ask  ye  who  He  is  ? 
Jesus  Christ  He's  called  ! 
The  Lord  Sabaoth 
And  there's  no  other  God, 
The  field  He  must  maintain. 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  filled 

Who  would  us  all  devour, 
So  is  our  fear  not  very  great, 
For  we  shall  yet  succeed. 
The  prince  of  this  world 
How  sour  us  confronts, 
Yet  he  doth  us  naught, 
That  is  'cause  he  is  judged; 
One  little  word  o'er  throws  him. 


138  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

The  Word  they  shall  permit  to  stand 

And  have  no  thanks  therefor  : 
He  is  with  us  upon  the  plain 
With  His  good  gift  and  Spirit, 
Take  they  then  our  life, 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife; 
Suffer  all  to  go, 
They  no  gain  shall  have, 
To  us  the  Kingdom  must  remain. 


<a 


LXXV. 

H.  E.  JACOBS. 

1888. 

Portress  firm,  a  shield,  a  sword, 

A  help  in  all  distresses, 
A  refuge  strong  is  God  the  Lord, 
However  danger  presses. 
The  enemy,  I  know, 
Maddened,  with  rage  doth  glow. 
Boundless  the  power  and  art, 
Back  of  each  cruel  dart. 
Earth  never  had  his  equal. 

Sure  were  the  field  left  to  my  might, 

All  would  be  pure  disaster; 
But  I've  a  Comrade  in  this  fight, 
Who  any  foe  can  master. 
If  you  should  ask  His  name, 
It  is  the  very  same, 
Before  which  angels  kneel, 
And  at  which  devils  quail, 
Jesus,  true  God  and  Conqueror. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  139 

Then  let  hell's  hosts  flood  all  the  land, 

With  myriads  trained  to  end  ine; 
Why  should  I  fear  to  make  a  stand, 
When  such  brave  arms  defend  me  ? 
One  moment—  and  'tis  done, 
The  victory  is  won. 
The  mighty  prince  is  found 
Judged,  prostrate  on  the  ground. 
The  smallest  word  can  fell  him. 

Ah,  then,  the  Word  you'll  let  remain, 

A  generous  foeman  surely  ! 
While  Christ's  with  me  upon  the  plain, 
My  heart  shall  rest  securely. 
Come,  take  whate'er  you  see, 
There  is  no  loss  to  me, 
His  Spirit  makes  me  strong, 
His  gifts  call  forth  my  song, 
His  Kinodom's  mine  forever. 


Q 


LXXVI. 

A.  C.  WUCHTER. 

1888. 

UR  God  a  solid  rampart  is, 

A  thorough  ward  and  weapon, 
He  freely  helps  in  every  stress, 
Which  now  hath  us  o'er  taken. 
The  old  bitter  foe, 
Grim  zeal  now  doth  show, 
Much  craft  and  great  might, 
Are  his  for  cruel  fight — 
On  earth  is  none  that's  like  him. 


140  "EEN  FESTE  BURG." 

With  our  own  might  is  nothing  done, 

We  were  full  soon  defected. 
But  for  us  fights  the  very  Man 
Whom  God  himself  selected. 
Dost  ask  who  is  this  ? 
Jesus  Christ  it  is, 
Of  Hosts  He  is  Lord, 
And  there's  no  other  God; 
The  field  He  must  possess  still. 

And  tho'  the  world  with  devils  swarmed. 

Who  sought  but  to  devour  us, 
Yet  are  we  not  so  sore  alarmed, 
We  still  shall  be  victorious. 
The  world's  wicked  prince 
In  dreadful  ire  grins, 
Yet  all's  but  in  vain — 
He's  judged,  the  thing  is  plain. — 
One  little  word  can  fell  him. 

The  Word  they  still  shall  let  remain. 

Nor  have  a  thank  of  merit, — 
He's  ever  with  us  oa  the  plain, 
With  His  own  gifts  and  Spirit, 
Take  they  e'en  our  life. 
Goods,  fame,  child  and  wife, 
With  all  still  comply. 
They  '11  profit  naught  thereby — 
The  realm  for  us  remaineth. 


a 


EIGHTY  'TRANSLATIONS.  141 

LXXl'IL 
J.  T.  KENDALL. 
1889. 
firm-built  fortress  is  our  God. 

A  strong  defence  and  weapon; 
An  ever-present  help  in  need, 
When  direst  dangers  threaten: 
That  old  irate  foe, 
In  great  fury  now, 
With  utmost  pow'r  and  art, 
Doth  prepare  his  part. 
There's  not  on  earth  his  equal. 

With  our  weak  arm  naught  can  be  done, 

To  avert  great  loss,  defeat, 
But  lo  !  there  comes  God 's  chosen  One, 
He  goes  our  foe  to  meet: 

His  name  !     Hast  not  heard  ? 
'Tis  Jesus  the  Word, 
Of  armed  hosts  Lord, 
There's  no  other  God, 
See  !    He  gains  and  holds  the  field. 

And  were  there  foes  on  ev'ry  hand, 

Alert  to  sieze  and  destroy; 
We  should  not  fear,  but  take  our  stand, 
And  songs  of  triumph  employ: 
The  world's  potentate, 
Though  coming  in  state, 
Need  cause  no  alarm, 
For  judg'd  cannct  harm, 
A  tiny  word  can  fell  him. 


142  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

That  Word  shall  all  its  foes  withstand, 

To  none  beholden  for  its  pow'r, 
Of  gracious  plan  He  brings  to.  hand, 
Gifts  and  Spirit  for  the  hour: 
Take  they  e'en  our  life, 
Goods,  hon'r,  child  and  wife, 
We  all  these  forego, 
Gain  they  cannot  so, 
Whilst  we  retain  the  kingdom. 


Q 


LXXVIIL 
C.  C.  ZEIGLER. 
1891. 
UR  God  a  stronghold  is  indeed, 

An  armor  never  failing; 
He  helps  us  out  of  every  need 
That  us  now  is  assailing. 
The  fiend,  malign  and  old, 
Is  eager  and  bold; 
With  great  might  and  lies 
He  comes  in  gruesome  guise; 
On  earth  is  not  his  equal. 

With  our  own  strength  we  naught  can  do, 

The  foe  would  triumph  o'er  us; 
But  God  has  seat  che  right  Man  true 
To  fight  the  battle  for  us, 
WTio  is  he,  dost  exclaim  ? 
Christ  Jesus  his  name — 
The  Lord  Sabaoth— 
There  is  no  other  God; 
The  field,  He  shal  1  maintain  it. 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  143 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  tilled, 

All  seeking  to  devour  us, 
With  no  great  fear  our  hearts  are  chilled — 
They  shall  not  overpower  us. 
How  tierce  soe'er  his  mien, 
Condemned  is  seen 
The  prince  of  this  world: 
To  hell  shall  he  be  hurled; 
A  little  word  can  fell  him. 

Foes  make  God's  word  more  sure  to  stand 

Its  own — not  theirs — the  merit; 
With  us  abides,  as  He  has  planned, 
God's  favoring  grace  and  Spirit. 
What  though  they  take  our  life, 
Home,  honor,  child,  wife — 
Let  everything  go; 
Nothing  they  gain,  we  know; 
But  ours  remains  the  kingdom. 


a 


LXXIX. 
ANONYM. 

1891. 
stable  fort  our  God  abides, 

A  buckler  stout  and  weapon; 
He  helps  us  through  whate'er  betides, 
Or  can  us  now  mishappen. 
Our  oil  Satanic  foe 
Now  aims  a  deadly  blow; 
Deep  craft  and  dreadf  ul  might 
Have  milled  him  for  the  light: 
On  earth  he  still  is  matchless. 


144  "EIN  FESTE  BURG." 

With  our  frail  force,  undone  the  plan, 

Soon  would  our  hopes  be  blighted; 
But  for  us  fights  the  true-born  Man, 
Whom  God  himself  invited. 
Ask  ye,  who  hath  suffered  ? 
His  name  is  Jesus  Christ, 
Jehovah,  Lord  of  host: 
No  other  God  man  boasts 
Is  sure  to  win  the  battle. 

And  were  the  world  with  devils  sown, 

And  would  they  quick  us  swallow. 
We  ne'er  with  sore  affright  should  groan, 
No  good  speed  would  them  follow. 
The  prince  of  earth's  domain, 
Howe'er  he  wrath  may  feign, 
Can  nought  'gainst  us  achieve, 
His  might  wins  no  reprieve: 
A  single  word  can  fell  him. 

The  Word  leave  they  to  stand  its  ground, 

For  which  no  thanks  they  merit, 
Our  cause  to  help  He's  ever  bound 
With  all  this  gifts  and  Spirit. 
Yea,  let  them  take  our  life; 
Goods,  honor,  child,  wife, 
They  far  away  may  drive: 
With  no  gain  shall  they  thrive, 
God's  Kingdom  still  is  with  us. 


Q 


EIGHTY  TRANSLATIONS.  145 

LXXX. 
(  Brood  8cotch. ) 

Win.  \V.  SMITH. 
1888. 
UR  God  is  aye  an  unco  beild  ! 

Defender  ever  leevin' ! 
He  helpit  us,  an'  was  our  shield — 
Wi'  a'  our  troubles  grievin'  ! 
Our  auld  malignant  fae 
Wad  hae  his  gruesome  way: 
His  slee  an*  pawkie  craft 
His  graith  an'  deeding  aft, — 
The  warl'  ne'er  saw  his  even  ! 

Wi'  our  ain  tnicht  is  naething  dune, — 

We're  near  our  last  undoin'  ! 
But  O,  the  Richt  Man  helps  us  sune, 
An'  turns  aside  our  ruin  ! 

Speir'st  thou,  "Wha  is  that  same?" 
Christ  Jesus  is  his  name  ! 
Lord  o'  the  heavenly  host, 
Nae  ither  God  we  boast; — 
A  hostile  warl'  subduin' ! 

An'  though  the  fiends  sud  fill  the  air 

An'  ettle  our  devourin'. 
We  never  wad  be  daunt  it  sair, 
Nor  fley't  at  terror  lower  in' ! 
This  warl's  prince  himsel', 
Though  he  sud  look  sae  snell, 
Can  gie  us  nae  mail*  fear,     • 
For  his  ain  judgment's  near, — 
Ae  word  can  send  him  cowerin'  ! 


140 


;EIN  FESTE  BURGJ 


That  word  sal  ever  bide  on  hie, 

Nor.  ever  fae  come  near  it ! 
An'  God  sal  stan'  beside  us  aye, 
Wi'  a'  his  gifts  an'  spirit ! 
Tak  they  this  life  awa', 
Gear,  fame,  wife,  bairns,  an' 
E'en  let  them  gang  for  aye 
Nae  gain  hae  they  that  slay  ! 
Our  kingdom  we'll  inherit ! 


